If your local dealer is charging you extra ... or offering you less because the silver centers are not punched out and the labor involved ... be advised that the brass rings have scrap value as well.

My local junkyard recyclers are offering $1.75 per pound for brass. I recently knocked out 1000 silver centers and the 1000 brass rings weighed slightly over 42 pounds (almost what the silver weighed). Do the math ... don't let the locals cheat you. The brass rings may pay for your shipping costs to an out of state silver refiner.