The Short Answer
An IRA can hold gold bullion that's at least 99.5% pure, plus certain U.S. Mint coins the law specifically allows, as long as it's held by an approved custodian. Silver must be 99.9% pure, and platinum and palladium 99.95%. Most collectible, numismatic, and proof-graded "rare" coins don't qualify, and some popular bullion coins don't either.
IRS Purity Requirements
Minimum Fineness for IRA Bullion
Based on Internal Revenue Code section 408(m) and the fineness standards it references.
Commonly IRA-Eligible Gold
| Product | Issuer | Purity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Gold Eagle | U.S. Mint | 91.67% | Allowed by a specific exception in the law |
| American Gold Buffalo | U.S. Mint | 99.99% | Bullion versions |
| Canadian Gold Maple Leaf | Royal Canadian Mint | 99.99% | Widely traded |
| Australian Gold Kangaroo | Perth Mint | 99.99% | Bullion versions |
| Austrian Gold Philharmonic | Austrian Mint | 99.99% | |
| British Gold Britannia (newer issues) | Royal Mint | 99.99% | Older 91.67% issues don't qualify |
| Gold bars | Approved refiners | 99.5%+ | From accredited refiners or national mints |
Eligibility can depend on the specific year and version. Confirm with your custodian before buying.
Gold That Does Not Qualify
| Product | Why Not |
|---|---|
| South African Krugerrand | 91.67% gold, with no exception in the law |
| Older British Sovereigns and Britannias | 91.67% gold |
| Mexican 50 Peso | 90% gold |
| Pre-1933 U.S. gold coins | Collectibles |
| Most graded, proof, or "rare" coins | Treated as collectibles; often carry high premiums |
IRA-Eligible Silver, Platinum, and Palladium
- Silver: American Silver Eagle, Canadian Silver Maple Leaf, Australian Kookaburra, and 99.9% bars.
- Platinum: American Platinum Eagle, Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf, and 99.95% bars.
- Palladium: Canadian Palladium Maple Leaf, American Palladium Eagle, and 99.95% bars.
Augusta Precious Metals sells gold and silver; if silver is part of your plan, its silver IRA guide covers the options. Noble Gold also sells platinum and palladium, and its silver guide covers silver's industrial demand.
How to Check Whether a Product Qualifies
- Check the metal and purity stamped on the coin or bar.
- Confirm the issuer: a national mint or an accredited refiner.
- Ask whether it's sold as bullion or as a collectible. Graded "rare" versions of the same coin may not qualify.
- Ask your custodian to confirm eligibility before purchase.
Coins vs Bars
| Government Bullion Coins | Bars | |
|---|---|---|
| Premium over spot | Usually higher | Usually lower, especially larger bars |
| Recognition when selling | Very high | High for major refiners |
| Flexibility for distributions | Easy to take a few coins | Large bars are harder to split |
Many investors mix both: coins for flexibility, bars for a lower cost per ounce.
Building a Simple Metals Mix
Many gold IRA owners keep things simple: mostly widely traded gold bullion coins and bars, with some silver for lower-cost ounces. Platinum and palladium are smaller, more volatile markets. Whatever mix you choose, favoring recognizable bullion over specialty coins usually keeps costs lower and makes selling easier later.
Watch Out for Premium Traps
The biggest cost in a gold IRA is usually the markup on what you buy. Proof and limited-mintage coins can carry premiums far above standard bullion, and "free silver" offers are often paid for through those higher markups. Augusta explains how bonus-silver offers work in its free silver explainer. Always ask for each product's price and the spot price in writing.
Augusta vs Noble Gold for Approved Metals
| Augusta Precious Metals | Noble Gold Investments | |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Yes | Yes |
| Silver | Yes | Yes |
| Platinum and palladium | No | Yes |
| Stance on premium coins | Publicly warns about premium-heavy products and bonus-silver offers | Sells rare coins separately from IRA products |
| Silver resource | Silver IRA guide | Silver Is the New Oil guide |
Where to Buy IRA-Approved Gold
A gold IRA company sells eligible metals and ships them to your depository. Our picks:
- Augusta Precious Metals: gold and silver only, with a public stance against premium-heavy products. Reported $50,000 minimum.
- Noble Gold: gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. Reported $20,000 IRA minimum.
See how they compare with Goldco, Birch Gold, and others in our ranking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are American Gold Eagles IRA-Approved?
Yes. Although they're 91.67% gold, the law specifically allows them.
Can I Put Krugerrands in an IRA?
No. Krugerrands are 91.67% gold and don't have an exception.
Can I Move Gold I Already Own Into an IRA?
No. You can't contribute metals you already own. The IRA must buy metals with cash from contributions, transfers, or rollovers.
Are Proof Coins Allowed?
Some U.S. Mint proof Eagles are allowed, but they carry higher premiums. Most other proof and graded coins aren't eligible.
Are Silver Eagles IRA-Approved?
Yes. American Silver Eagles are .999 fine silver and IRA-eligible.
Can I Buy Gold Bars of Any Size?
Bars must meet purity standards and come from approved refiners. Very large bars can be harder to sell or distribute later.
See Which Metals Fit Your IRA
The free kit covers eligible metals and how to avoid overpaying.
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