1. collecting silver strikes is a hobby first and an investment last

2. collecting common strikes is like collecting state quarters----they will always be worth face and not much more.

3. Contrary to popular opinion one cant take the silver strikes and put them in the oven and melt them down ---take the silver to an assayer or the bank and get cash.

4. Professional smelters will buy scrap silver at a discount in bulk according to my coin dealer.

The discount and bulk business makes it less than a break even proposition if silver is under $20

5. The reason some strikes dont sell for more than face on ebay or on this site may have to do with the sellers reputation.

6. Sellers fees aside I see very few strikes going for less than face because reputable dealers (whom many badmouth) are willing to put thier money at risk to stabilize the market in hopes of making a profit.

7. archie and walt---if you want to invest try the stock market or the commodity market---i hear that

some precious metals are hot