Depends really.. Eagle's have a face value.. which would make trade easier.. but the face value is not nearly as valuable as the silver content is worth on the market. I've been buying 10 oz bars of silver rather than coins. I personally don't see much difference between the maples and eagles, silver is silver.. nobody cares about face value anymore.

In a collapse scenario.. I wouldn't be trading my silver for goods unless absolutely necessary. I'd hold long enough to have a good position on the market, sell at a good price while markets are still open, and get the tangible assets you REALLY need, food, water, firearms.

I might recommend the Buffalo rounds, no face value, just pure .999 silver rounds. Sure, they may not be accepted in an IRA.. but when TSHTF, who really cares about that? You won't be getting any money out of insurance or other investments.

When the party's over.. all you have is what's left in your cup. =)