What Is a Gold and Silver IRA?
A gold and silver IRA is a self-directed IRA that holds both IRS-approved gold and silver in one account. You pay one set of custodian and storage fees, and you can decide how much of each metal to hold. It works like any gold IRA: a custodian holds the account, an approved depository stores the metal, and the account follows traditional or Roth IRA tax rules.
Why Hold Both Metals?
| Gold | Silver | |
|---|---|---|
| Main demand | Investment, central banks, jewelry | Industrial use plus investment |
| Price swings | Lower | Higher, in both directions |
| Value per ounce | High; compact to store | Lower; bulkier for the same dollar amount |
| Typical role | Core holding | Smaller, higher-volatility portion |
Holding both spreads your metals exposure across two markets that don't always move together. Many savers keep gold as the larger share and silver as a smaller one. There's no single right split; it depends on your goals and comfort with volatility. Compare the metals in gold vs silver IRA.
Eligible Gold and Silver
Under IRS rules, IRA bullion must meet minimum fineness: gold .995 and silver .999, held by a trustee. American Gold and Silver Eagles are eligible by statute. Common eligible products include:
| Gold | Silver |
|---|---|
| American Gold Eagle | American Silver Eagle |
| American Gold Buffalo | Canadian Silver Maple Leaf |
| Canadian Gold Maple Leaf | Austrian Silver Philharmonic |
| Austrian Gold Philharmonic | Australian Silver Kookaburra |
| Gold bars from approved refiners | Silver bars from approved refiners |
Full lists: IRA-approved gold and IRA-approved silver.
What a Gold and Silver IRA Costs
Fees are the same whether you hold one metal or two, because custodian and storage fees are usually flat. Silver takes more space per dollar, which is one reason some depositories price segregated storage higher.
- Noble Gold: $80 setup and $275 a year including segregated storage; the same structure for gold and silver, per its support page.
- Augusta Precious Metals: about $225 a year reported, with zero gold IRA fees for up to 10 years for qualifying accounts.
Watch the spread. Silver often carries a higher markup as a percentage than gold. And be wary of "free silver" offers; see free silver explained.
Best Gold and Silver IRA Companies
Augusta Precious Metals
- Typical minimum: $50,000
- Storage: Delaware Depository, fully allocated
Augusta specializes in gold and silver, and its free kit is literally called the Gold & Silver IRA Info Kit. You can hold both metals in one self-directed IRA with Equity Trust as preferred custodian. It doesn't offer bonus silver and warns that such offers are typically paid for through higher prices. See our Augusta silver IRA review.
Noble Gold Investments
- Reported minimum: $20,000
- Storage: Texas or Delaware, segregated
Noble Gold offers gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in one IRA with published flat fees. Its silver outlook guide explains its view on silver.
More options: best silver IRA companies and best precious metals IRA companies.
How to Open a Gold and Silver IRA
- Request a free kit and compare two companies.
- Open a self-directed IRA (traditional or Roth) with the company's partner custodian.
- Fund it by direct transfer or rollover; see gold IRA rollover.
- Ask for a written quote showing each coin or bar, the price, and the spot price for each metal.
- Approve the purchase; metals ship to the depository.
Augusta's silver IRA guide walks through the same process for silver.
Gold and Silver in a Roth IRA
A Roth gold and silver IRA follows Roth rules: contributions aren't deductible, but qualified withdrawals are tax-free, and Roth IRAs have no required minimum distributions for the original owner. See Roth gold IRA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Hold Gold and Silver in the Same IRA?
Yes. One self-directed IRA can hold both, with one set of fees.
How Much Silver Should Be in a Gold and Silver IRA?
There's no rule. Many savers hold more gold than silver because silver is more volatile. Decide with your advisor.
Is a Gold and Silver IRA a Good Idea?
It can diversify a retirement portfolio, but metals pay no income and prices can fall. See gold IRA pros and cons.
Can I Roll a 401(k) Into a Gold and Silver IRA?
Yes, by direct rollover once your plan allows it. See 401(k) to gold IRA rollover.
Get the Gold & Silver IRA Kit
Augusta's free kit covers both metals, costs, and the rollover process.
Get Your Free Gold IRA Kit