IRA eligible gold and silver
These are the coins and bars we track that meet the IRS rules for a self-directed IRA, with the lowest current price from US dealers. Click a product to compare all dealers.
IRA eligible gold coins
Minimum fineness .995. The American Gold Eagle (22 karat) is allowed by law. Lowest current price from the US dealers we track.
IRA eligible gold bars
Minimum fineness .995, from an accredited refiner named in the listing. Lowest current price from the US dealers we track.
IRA eligible silver coins and bars
Minimum fineness .999. Lowest current price from the US dealers we track.
How much metal does my IRA buy?
Enter the amount you plan to put in metal. We divide it by today's lowest US dealer price for popular IRA eligible coins and bars.
| Product | Pieces | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 oz American Gold Eagle$4,239.92 each at gainesvillecoins.com | 11 | Compare › |
| 1 oz American Gold Buffalo$4,217.25 each at gainesvillecoins.com | 11 | Compare › |
| 1 oz Gold Maple Leaf$4,235.26 each at gainesvillecoins.com | 11 | Compare › |
| 1 oz PAMP gold bar$4,295.36 each at sdbullion.com | 11 | Compare › |
| 1 kg gold bar$135,544.30 each at pacificpreciousmetals.com | 0$85,544 short | Compare › |
| 1 oz American Silver Eagle$66.66 each at summitmetals.com | 750 | Compare › |
At the lowest online price per piece from the US dealers we track, checked Oct 12, 1:28 PM ET. Shipping, IRA fees and the gold IRA company's own markup are not included, so the same amount may buy less through an IRA company.
Got a quote from a gold IRA company? Check it
Pick the product, enter the quantity and the price per coin or bar from the quote. We compare it with today's US dealer prices and the value of the metal.
Enter the price per piece from your quote.
How we judge it: we compare your price with today's prices for this product from the US dealers we track; above the highest of them, ask the company for a written breakdown of its markup. Dealer prices change during the day. A price comparison, not investment or tax advice.
How we decide what is IRA eligible
- Minimum fineness (Internal Revenue Code section 408(m)): gold .995, silver .999, platinum and palladium .9995.
- American Gold Eagle: 22 karat (.9167), below the gold minimum, but the law allows it directly.
- Bars: only when the listing names a refiner accredited by the LBMA, LPPM or NYMEX/COMEX, such as PAMP, Valcambi, Argor-Heraeus, Heraeus or C.Hafner.
- Not on the list: coins below the minimum (gold Krugerrand and British Sovereign, both .9167; Austrian Ducat, .986), proof, graded and collector coins, and coins custodians treat differently, such as the Chinese Panda and the Mexican Libertad.
Your IRA custodian decides which products it accepts, so check with them before you buy. Choosing a company? See gold IRA companies compared by fees.
IRA eligible gold FAQ
What gold is IRA eligible?
Gold bullion coins and bars of .995 fineness or higher, plus the American Gold Eagle. Examples are the American Buffalo, Canadian Maple Leaf, Austrian Philharmonic, Australian Kangaroo, British Britannia and bars from accredited refiners.
Is the Krugerrand IRA eligible?
No. The gold Krugerrand is 22 karat (.9167), below the IRS minimum of .995, and the American Gold Eagle exception does not cover it.
Does the IRS publish a list of approved coins?
No. The IRS sets the rules. Each IRA custodian decides which products it accepts within them.
Can I keep IRA gold at home?
No. IRA metal must be held by the IRA trustee or an approved depository. Taking it home can be treated as a taxable distribution, as the US Tax Court ruled in McNulty v. Commissioner (2021). Compare gold and silver storage facilities that offer IRA storage.
How do I buy gold for an IRA?
Open a self-directed IRA with a custodian that allows precious metals and fund it. You choose the metal, the custodian buys it from a dealer and has it shipped to the depository. This is general information, not tax advice.
How current are the prices?
Prices come from the US dealers we track and update several times a day. The price shown is the lowest current offer for each product.