The Short Answer
- Fidelity sells some physical gold and silver coins and bars, including for IRAs, through a third-party storage arrangement.
- Vanguard and Schwab customers typically get gold exposure through ETFs and mining funds rather than physical metal. Check with each broker for current offerings.
- A gold IRA company is the main route if you want a dedicated physical precious metals IRA with guided rollovers.
Fidelity: Physical Metals Available
According to LendEDU and NerdWallet, Fidelity sells physical precious metals including IRA-eligible American Gold and Silver Eagles and Gold Buffalos, plus bars. Reported details:
| Minimum | $2,500 initial investment (reported); $1,000 minimum order per NerdWallet |
|---|---|
| Purchase fees | About 2.9% under $10,000, falling to about 0.99% at $100,000+ |
| Accounts | Brokerage and, per Fidelity representatives, traditional or Roth IRAs |
| Storage | Third-party depository; about 0.25%–1.5% of value a year, with annual minimums |
Sources: LendEDU, NerdWallet. Confirm current terms with Fidelity.
Note that Fidelity's storage fee is a percentage of value, so it grows with your balance, unlike the flat annual fees typical at gold IRA companies.
Vanguard and Schwab: Mostly Through Funds
At Vanguard and Schwab, most investors get gold exposure through exchange-traded funds that hold gold, or through mining-stock funds. These are easy to buy in a regular IRA, but you own fund shares, not specific coins and bars. See gold IRA vs physical gold vs ETFs.
Brokerage vs Gold IRA Company
| Brokerage (e.g., Fidelity) | Gold IRA Company | |
|---|---|---|
| Physical metal in an IRA | Limited selection at Fidelity; mainly ETFs elsewhere | Yes, core service |
| Storage fee model | Often a percentage of value | Usually flat annual fees |
| Rollover guidance | General | Hands-on, metals-specific |
| Product range | Narrower | Wider bullion selection |
| Ongoing support | General brokerage service | Dedicated reps; Augusta offers lifetime support |
Moving Money From Your Brokerage IRA Into Gold
If you hold an IRA at Vanguard, Fidelity, or Schwab and want physical gold through a gold IRA company, the move is a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer:
- Open a self-directed IRA with the gold IRA company's custodian.
- Sign a transfer request; the new custodian contacts your broker.
- Your broker sells the investments you're moving and sends the cash.
- You approve a written metals quote, and the metal ships to the depository.
Transfers aren't taxed, and you can move just part of your IRA. See IRA to gold IRA transfer.
What About a 401(k) at These Firms?
Many employer plans are administered by Fidelity, Vanguard, or Schwab. Plans usually don't hold physical gold, but once you leave the employer (or reach the plan's in-service age), you can roll eligible money into a gold IRA. See 401(k) to gold IRA.
Which Route Fits You?
- Want simple gold price exposure at low cost: a gold ETF in your existing brokerage IRA.
- Want a small amount of physical metal and already use Fidelity: Fidelity's metals desk may work.
- Want a dedicated physical gold IRA with guided rollover and flat fees: a gold IRA company. Flat fees become cheaper than percentage-based storage as balances grow.
Annual Storage Cost on $200,000 (Illustration)
Illustration using a mid-range percentage fee and typical flat fees.
Our Picks for a Physical Gold IRA
Augusta Precious Metals for $50,000 or more, with flat fees and a zero-fee promotion for qualifying accounts. Noble Gold from $20,000, with segregated storage included. Both handle the rollover from your Vanguard, Fidelity, or Schwab IRA; see IRA to gold IRA transfer.
Get Your Free Gold IRA Kit Noble Gold's IRA Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Vanguard Sell Physical Gold?
Vanguard customers typically access gold through ETFs and funds rather than physical metal. Confirm current offerings with Vanguard.
Can I Hold Physical Gold in a Fidelity IRA?
Fidelity reports offering certain IRA-eligible metals in traditional and Roth IRAs, stored with a third party.
Can I Move My Vanguard IRA Into a Gold IRA?
Yes, by direct transfer to a self-directed IRA custodian, tax-free.
Does Schwab Sell Gold Bullion?
Schwab customers typically get gold exposure through ETFs and funds. Confirm current offerings with Schwab.
Is Fidelity's Gold Cheaper Than a Gold IRA Company?
Purchase fees can be competitive, but percentage-based storage grows with your balance; flat-fee gold IRAs can cost less on larger accounts.
Moving a Brokerage IRA Into Gold?
Our top pick handles the transfer paperwork with you.
Get Your Free Gold IRA Kit