Silver: Bifurcating Between Paper and Physical? (Updated)

Gold and Silver Eagles sales by the US Mint have been climbing as noted by Zerohedge:

Tonight, Zerohedge reports the US Mint has already run out of  2013 coins:

Authorized Purchasers,

The United States Mint has temporarily sold out of 2013 American Eagle Silver Bullion coins.  As a result, sales are suspended until we can build up an inventory of these coins.  Sales will resume on or about the week of January 28, 2013, via the allocation process.

Please feel free to call us if you have any questions.

Regards,

Jack A. Szczerban
Branch Chief, Precious Metals Group
Department of the Treasury
United States Mint

Amazing. Don't these people realize they can just buy a silver ETF? Or maybe they just want to buy the real thing rather than a paper asset. Looking at APMEX, it would seem a nearly $6 premium over spot is the new market price for an American Eagle Silver coin.

UPDATE:
As of Friday, December 18th. APMEX is selling older Eagles at a $7 premium over spot!