Of course it is are you kidding? Stick with known online dealers if you're that cautious. I doubt Apmex, Gainsville, has a problem with accidently mailing lead instead of silver.
Do you know the spot price of silver? Do you know how much ASEs and Pandas weigh? Do the math. I doubt very much that a pawn broker is stupid enough to sell silver at a loss. Anyone opening their wallet for $10 ASEs or Pandas is an idiot and deserves the consequences.
It was directed at 16d, but now I see I misread his post. Sorry, 16d. I don't know how I missed the word 'faked'. I'm going to have to get my eyes examined real soon.
If you buy common date US pre-64 silver you are pretty safe. The fake stuff is usually things like trade dollars and CC Morgans. I think a nicely worn Walking Liberty half or a Washington quarter are very unlikely to be fake.
Howdy, I concur with revi and the others. There's not enough margin on the 1 oz. stuff unless you're buying it by the boatload. Just always deal with established sources and stay with name brand silver. Geez, that's why there's a premium on name brand silver rounds and ingots (e.g. Englelhard, JohnsonMatthey) or coins (e.g. ASEs, 90%) over some ingot stamped Wally's Bowlying Alley and Mint. peace, rono and why on earth put yourself in a position to care