Here’s a question on the general subject of silver:
Can a US citizen walk up to a US Mint (DC, Denver) and buy Silver Eagle coins direct from the mint?
I don’t know if the Mint has an actual storefront or not.
I do know the sell to a bunch of dealers, and that you can place web orders directly to them. http://catalog.usmint.gov/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&identifier=1000
I’m also absolutely positive that they won’t require proof of citizenship ... or even a birth certificate ... to do business with them.
Unless you are interested in paying the premium for Eagles, you can usually buy them at the local coin shops for spot silver plus.
You can buy proof silver on line or by mail from the Mint. You can buy uncirculated silver from dealers. I am unaware of any actual window at the mints.
Nope.
Bullion coins are only sold to recognized dealers in quantity. Then, you buy from them. You can buy at retail from the Mint some products - “proof” versions that are much more expensive than the underlying metal itself. Not such a great idea if you just want exposure to the price of the metal.
I wouldn’t worry about counterfeit too much. Buy from a reputable vendor. It is difficult to make a convincing fake. That’s a good thing.