You can buy silver close to spot price if you buy off the exchange. Or, using an automated gold and silver saving program, you can take delivery of 1000 oz bars at close to spot price.
Why? Because there is no manufacturing involved. If you want Silver Eagles, then you pay a premium just like everyone else does.
But remember, you only pay when you cash out your silver, not when you buy. You can take delivery later on when the premiums are back to normal.
- Source, The Silver Investor