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IRA-eligible gold is IRS-approved gold bullion that meets specific purity standards for inclusion in a gold IRA account.
Gold bars and rounds must be 99.5% pure and produced by an IRA-approved mint, while gold coins must also be 99.5% pure, come with authenticity certificates, be in mint condition, and remain in original packaging.
The best way to invest in IRA-eligible gold is through reputable gold IRA companies like Augusta Precious Metals, which handle paperwork, custodian selection, and secure storage in IRS-approved depositories.
Other IRA-eligible precious metals include silver (.999+ purity), platinum (.9995+ purity), and palladium (.9995+ purity).
IRA-eligible gold coins include American Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, and American Buffalos. Notable non-eligible items are proof coins, rare coins, collectibles, and precious metals like rhodium, osmium, iridium, and ruthenium.
Learn more below!
What is IRA-Eligible Gold (Definition and Meaning)?
IRA-eligible gold is IRS-approved gold bullion you can include as part of your gold IRA account.
IRA-eligible (IRA-approved) gold meets prescribed purity standards and it’s what makes it eligible to be a part of your precious metals IRA.
Gold coins and bars are the two common forms of IRA-approved gold.
- Gold bars and rounds must be produced by an IRA-approved mint and be 99.5% pure. Small gold bars must meet exact weight specifications.
- Gold coins must be 99.5% pure. They must also come with a certificate of authenticity, be in mint condition, and encapsulated in their original packaging.
How to Invest in IRA-Eligible Gold? Where to Purchase it?
The best way to invest in an IRA-eligible gold bullion is to work with a reputable gold IRA company who can procure it for you.
These legitimate gold investment companies do all the paperwork for you (with your assistance and oversight).
They find a reputable custodian for you (custodial service will be the one managing your gold bullion for you- a necessity with all self-directed IRAs). And they insure and place your bullion in an IRA-approved depository.
You can read my guide to the best gold IRA companies here.
The one company I recommend is Augusta Precious Metals (read my full Augusta Precious Metals review here). They’re the best un the game and you won’t get scammed doing business with this US company.
I say it because gold IRA scams are common in this industry.
Here’s the process in a nutshell as performed by Augusta Precious Metals.
Which Other Precious Metals Are IRA-Eligible?
The other IRA-eligible precious metals are silver (required purity of .999 or higher for IRA-eligible silver), platinum (required purity of .9995 or higher for IRA-eligible platinum) and palladium (required purity of .9995 or higher for IRA-eligible palladium).
| Precious Metals | Purity Standard |
|---|---|
| Gold | .995 purity or higher |
| Silver | .999 purity or higher |
| Platinum | .9995 purity or higher |
| Palladium | .9995 purity or higher |
Note: there’re hundreds of different precious metals coins you can own as physical bullion stored at your home.
But there are only a handful of IRA-eligible gold coins and bars you can include in your gold IRA.
Examples of gold bullion ineligible for gold IRA inclusion are:
- Proof coins: these coins are valued more for their collectible nature than their gold content.
- Rare coins: rare, valuable coins aren’t eligible for an IRA. This category also includes coins with the rarest mint marks.
- Bullion coins: Some popular bullion coins, like the U.S. Liberty coin, are considered collectibles and aren’t eligible for an IRA inclusion.
Which Gold Coins are IRA-Eligible?
Gold coins that are IRA-eligible are:
- American Eagles;
- American Eagle Proofs;
- Canadian Maple Leaf;
- Gold Canadian Eagle;
- American Buffalo;
- Australian Striped Marlin.
Which Gold Bars are IRA-Eligible?
Gold bars which are IRA-eligible are:
- Valcambi Suisse Gold bars1.
- 1 oz Gold Bar (Various Mints)7.
- 1 oz PAMP Suisse Gold Bar (Lady Fortuna)7.
- 1 oz Sunshine Mint Gold Bars6.
- 1 oz Credit Suisse Gold Bars6.
- Gold Bar 10oz – Our Choice Hallmark.
- Gold Bar 1oz – Our Choice Hallmark.
Here’s an example of a IRA-eligible gold bar sold by Augusta Precious Metals.
Which Precious Metals Are Not IRA-Eligible?
Rhodium is a popular precious metal that isn’t IRA eligible.
There are companies that sell rhodium coins and bars. You can buy these but you won’t be able to include them as part of your gold IRA account.
Another popular metal is copper. Copper is a base metal (not a precious metal) but you can buy copper bullion in the US.
Numismatic coins also aren’t IRA-eligible and while you can collect them as a hobbyist, you can’t include them as part of your gold IRA account.
I covered 5 precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium) here and whether they’re IRA-eligible or not. There’re 3 more precious metals (ruthenium, iridium, and osmium) left.
Is Iridium IRA-Eligible?
Iridium isn’t an IRA-eligible precious metal. No gold IRA company currently stocks iridium-made coins and bars.
Is Osmium IRA-Eligible?
Osmium isn’t an IRA-eligible precious metal. No gold IRA company currently stocks osmium-made coins and bars.
Is Ruthenium IRA-Eligible?
Ruthenium isn’t an IRA-eligible precious metal. No gold IRA company currently stocks ruthenium-made coins and bars.
What is IRA-Approved Gold Bullion? What Does it Mean and Which Gold Bars and Coins are Eligible (Conclusion)?
IRA-eligible gold is IRS-approved bullion, which must meet strict purity standards (99.5% for gold) to be included in a gold IRA.
Other precious metals you can include are silver, platinum, and palladium. Other four precious metals (rhodium, osmium, iridium and ruthenium aren’t IRA-eligible).
Investment is typically done through a reputable gold IRA company that handles the custodian and approved depository, such as Augusta Precious Metals.
References:
- What Does IRA-Eligible Gold Mean?- https://lendedu.com/blog/what-does-ira-eligible-gold-mean/
- What is IRA Approved Gold?- https://learn.apmex.com/answers/what-is-ira-approved-gold/
- Buy Gold Bullion Online- https://goldsilver.com/buy-online/ira/gold/
Nikola Roza
Nikola Roza is a blogger behind Nikola Roza- SEO for the Poor and Determined. He writes for bloggers who don't have huge marketing budget but still want to succeed. Nikola is passionate about precious metals IRAs and how to invest in gold and silver for a safer financial future. Learn about Nikola here.
