Precious metals IRA
Which metals can go in an IRA?
US tax law bans most coins and metals from IRAs as collectibles, then allows two exceptions. Here is what they are, and how common products measure up.
Exception 1: certain coins
The American Eagle gold, silver and platinum coins named in the law, and coins issued under the laws of a US state.
Exception 2: high-purity bullion
Gold, silver, platinum or palladium bullion at least as pure as the futures exchanges require for delivery, held by the IRA’s trustee. In practice custodians apply these minimums:
- Gold.995
- Silver.999
- Platinum.9995
- Palladium.9995
Sources: 26 U.S.C. § 408(m) andIRS: investments in collectibles. Each custodian decides which products and refiners it accepts, so ask before you buy.
Meets the IRS rules
| Product | Purity | Why | Melt value now |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Gold Eagle (1 oz) | 91.7% | Named in US tax law | — |
| American Gold Buffalo (1 oz) | 99.99% | Meets IRS fineness rule | — |
| Canadian Gold Maple Leaf (1 oz) | 99.99% | Meets IRS fineness rule | — |
| Austrian Gold Philharmonic (1 oz) | 99.99% | Meets IRS fineness rule | — |
| British Gold Britannia (1 oz) | 99.99% | Meets IRS fineness rule | — |
| Chinese Gold Panda (30 g) | 99.9% | Meets IRS fineness rule | — |
| American Silver Eagle (1 oz) | 99.9% | Named in US tax law | — |
| Canadian Silver Maple Leaf (1 oz) | 99.99% | Meets IRS fineness rule | — |
| Austrian Silver Philharmonic (1 oz) | 99.9% | Meets IRS fineness rule | — |
| British Silver Britannia (1 oz) | 99.9% | Meets IRS fineness rule | — |
| Mexican Silver Libertad (1 oz) | 99.9% | Meets IRS fineness rule | — |
| Gold bar (1 oz) | 99.99% | Meets IRS fineness rule | — |
| Gold bar (1 kilogram) | 99.99% | Meets IRS fineness rule | — |
| Silver bar (10 oz) | 99.9% | Meets IRS fineness rule | — |
| Silver bar (100 oz) | 99.9% | Meets IRS fineness rule | — |
| Silver bar (1 kilogram) | 99.9% | Meets IRS fineness rule | — |
Does not meet the IRS rules
| Product | Purity | Why | Melt value now |
|---|---|---|---|
| South African Krugerrand (1 oz) | 91.7% | Not IRA eligible | — |
| $20 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle | 90% | Not IRA eligible | — |
| $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle | 90% | Not IRA eligible | — |
| $10 Gold Eagle (Liberty and Indian Head) | 90% | Not IRA eligible | — |
| $5 Gold Half Eagle (Liberty and Indian Head) | 90% | Not IRA eligible | — |
| British Gold Sovereign | 91.7% | Not IRA eligible | — |
| Mexican Gold 50 Pesos (Centenario) | 90% | Not IRA eligible | — |
| Morgan Silver Dollar | 90% | Not IRA eligible | — |
| Peace Silver Dollar | 90% | Not IRA eligible | — |
| Half dollar, 1964 and earlier (90%) | 90% | Not IRA eligible | — |
| Quarter, 1964 and earlier (90%) | 90% | Not IRA eligible | — |
| Dime, 1964 and earlier (90%) | 90% | Not IRA eligible | — |
| Kennedy half dollar, 1965 to 1970 (40%) | 40% | Not IRA eligible | — |
| Jefferson “war nickel” (35%) | 35% | Not IRA eligible | — |
Connecting to price feed… Melt value is the metal only. Dealers charge more than melt to sell, and pay less to buy back.
“IRS approved” on a product is a sales phrase: the IRS does not approve or endorse individual products. Proof and collector versions of eligible coins can qualify too, but usually cost far more than their metal is worth.