Silver Eagles vs. Generic Rounds for IRA - What have you done?

• •I'm looking to add some more physical precious metals to my self-directed IRA, specifically aiming for about $50k in the next few months.
• •My current exposure is mostly in IAU and SLV, which I know isn't the same as holding the physical stuff.
• •My first question, and it's a big one, is about Silver Eagles versus generic silver rounds or bars.

I'm looking to add some more physical precious metals to my self-directed IRA, specifically aiming for about $50k in the next few months. I've got a decent chunk in my university 403b and a separate taxable brokerage account, but I'm really keen on diversifying more into physical gold and silver within the tax-advantaged wrapper. My current exposure is mostly in IAU and SLV, which I know isn't the same as holding the physical stuff.

My first question, and it's a big one, is about Silver Eagles versus generic silver rounds or bars. I've done a ton of research, as is my nature (professor here, research is life!), and I see the arguments for both. Silver Eagles have that government backing and higher liquidity, but the premiums are consistently higher. Generic rounds/bars, especially from reputable mints, seem like a great way to get more silver for your buck, which feels like the whole point if you're looking for an inflation hedge and store of value. I'm in Richmond, VA, and while I have some local dealers, for IRA eligible stuff, I'm obviously going through a custodian and established dealers. For those of you who've gone this route, what was your rationale for choosing one over the other for your IRA? Did you split it? Any regrets?

Also, on a slightly related note, I'm thinking long-term here, obviously. The RMDs (Required Minimum Distributions) are something I'm already starting to think about, even at my age. I actually found this RMD Calculator at goldirablueprint.com which was pretty helpful for getting a rough idea of what those will look like. It's a sobering thought when you see those numbers pop up, especially for something like physical precious metals you might prefer to keep holding. How do you all plan to deal with RMDs when the time comes, especially if you have a significant portion of your IRA in physical assets that aren't easily divisible for distribution?

Any insights, personal experiences, or just general thoughts would be much appreciated. Always good to hear from folks who've navigated these waters already!