Have you tried to buy junk US silver coin from a coin dealer in the last few weeks? They all seem to be out of stock. A few have the smaller bags (less than $1,000 face) available at a sizeable markup.

ebay has listings for junk silver, but no full bags. Lots of offers "by the pound", without saying what kind of pound (av. or troy). Example: 10 pounds forr $4,620.

Not too sure what to make of this; bargain hunting by the long-term silver bugs maybe? Silver coins being melted for bullion due to shortages of physical metal? Coin being exported to Europe and Asia due to currency uncertainties?

Not long ago, you could buy the bags at a little under the value of the silver content.