Eligible Precious Metals for IRA Investing

Looking to set up a Self-Directed Precious Metals IRA? Well, not all gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion are approved for an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). The IRS only approved certain gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bars and coin types. Below you’ll find a list of the IRA approved bullion that can be purchased for a Precious Metals IRA.

View full size ira eligible precious metals

Precious Metals Fineness Requirements for IRA

Eligible Gold for IRA

99.5% (.9950)
Fine Gold

See Eligible Gold
Eligible Silver for IRA

99.9% (.9990)
Fine Silver

See Eligible Silver
Eligible Platinum for IRA

99.95% (.9995)
Fine Platinum

See Eligible Platinum
Eligible Palladium for IRA

99.95% (.9995)
Fine Palladium

See Eligible Palladium

Eligible Product Types for IRA

Eligible Bullion Bars for IRA

Bullion Bars*

Eligible Bullion Coins for IRA

Bullion Coins*

Eligible Proof Coins for IRA

Proof Coins†

Eligible Rounds for IRA

Rounds*

More Details on Product Types  

*Bullion Coins, Bars and Rounds:

  • Must meet minimum fineness requirements (listed above).
  • Must be produced by a national government mint or produced by or a private refiner, assayer or manufacturer that is accredited/certified by: NYMEX, COMEX, NYSE/Liffe, LME, LBMA, LPPM, TOCOM, ISO 9000.
  • Non-proof (bullion) coins must be in brilliant uncirculated condition and free from damage (excellent condition).

†Proof Coins:

Proof coins cannot be graded. Also, they must be complete in original mint packaging and include the certificate of authenticity.

Eligible Weights

Coin and Rounds Weights

1/10 Ounce (oz)

1/10 Ounce (oz)

1/4 Ounce (oz)

1/4 Ounce (oz)

1/2 Ounce (oz)

1/2 Ounce (oz)

1 Ounce (oz)

1 Ounce (oz)

Additionally, certain foreign coins are eligible as well. However, BEWARE OF EXCLUSIVE COINS.

Bullion Bars Weights

Eligible Gold for IRA

Gold Bars

(Up to 400 oz Bars)

Eligible Silver for IRA

Silver Bars

(Up to 1,000 oz Bars)

Eligible Platinum for IRA

Platinum Bars

(Up to 50 oz Bars)

Eligible Palladium for IRA

Palladium Bars

(Up to 100 oz Bars)

Smaller bullion bars (other than 100 ounce gold and the sizes listed above) must be manufactured to the exact weight specifications.

IRA Eligible Gold Bullion

Approved Gold Coins
American Eagle Gold Coins
American Buffalo Bullion Gold Coins
Australian Kangaroo/Nugget Coins
Australian Lunar Series Gold Coins
Austrian Philharmonic Gold Coins
Canadian Maple Leaf Gold Coins
Chinese Panda Gold Coins
British Britannia Gold Coins (.9999 Gold Britannia Coins Only)
Mexican Libertad Gold Bullion Coins
Approved Gold Proof Coins
American Eagle Gold Proof Coins
Approved Gold Bars & Rounds
Credit Suisse Gold Bars
PAMP Suisse Gold Bars
Valcambi Gold Bars
Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) Gold Bars
Perth Mint Gold Bars
Asahi Gold Bars
Johnson Matthey Gold Bars
Other various gold rounds & gold bars of 99.95% fine gold

Learn More about a Physical Gold IRA  

IRA Eligible Silver Bullion

Approved Silver Coins
American Eagle Silver Coins
America The Beautiful Silver Coins
Australian Koala Silver coin
Austrian Vienna Philharmonic Silver Coins
Australian Kookaburra Silver Coins
Canadian Maple Leaf Silver Coins
Mexican Libertad Silver Bullion Coins
Chinese Panda Silver Coins
British Britannia Silver Coins(.999 Silver Britannia Coins Only)
British Lunar Series Silver Bullion Coins
South African Krugerrand Silver Coins
Approved Silver Proof Coins
American Eagle Silver Proof Coins
Approved Silver Bars & Rounds
Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) Silver Bars
Sunshine Mint Silver Bars
Engelhard Silver Bars
Nadir Silver Bars
Johnson Matthey Silver Bars
Valcambi Silver Bars
Credit Suisse Bars
PAMP Suisse Silver Bars
Perth Mint Silver Bars
Asahi Silver Bars
Other various silver rounds & silver bars of 99.9% fine silver

Learn More about a Silver IRA  

Free IRA Guide

Learn How To Strengthen & Protect Your IRA With Physical Gold

Get FREE Gold IRA Investor Guides

IRA Eligible Platinum Bullion

Approved Platinum Coins
American Eagle Platinum Coins
Australian Koala Platinum Coins
Canadian Maple Leaf Platinum Coins
Isle of Man Noble Platinum Coins
Approved Platinum Proof Coins
American Eagle Platinum Proof Coins
Approved Platinum Bars & Rounds
Credit Suisse Platinum Bars
PAMP Suisse Platinum Bars
Valcambi Platinum Bars
Argor Heraeus Platinum Bars
Johnson Matthey Platinum Bars
Engelhard Platinum Bars
Other various platinum bullion bars & platinum rounds of 99.95% fine platinum

IRA Eligible Palladium Bullion

Approved Palladium Coins
Canadian Maple Leaf Palladium Coins
Approved Palladium Bars & Rounds
Credit Suisse Palladium Bars
PAMP Suisse Palladium Bars
Johnson Matthey Palladium Bars
Valcambi Palladium Bars
Other various palladium bullion bars & palladium rounds of 99.95% fine palladium

InEligible Precious Metals for IRA Investing

Collectible coins or rare coins, including graded or certified coins, are not eligible for a Precious Metal IRA. The following is a list of precious metal coins that may not be invested in a Precious Metal IRA.

  • Austrian Corona & Ducat
  • U.S. Buffalo Proof
  • U.S. Liberty
  • British Britannia (*Gold & silver Britannias minted before to 2013 are ineligible.)
  • British Sovereign
  • Belgian 20 Franc
  • Chilean 100 Peso
  • Columbian Peso
  • Dutch 10 Guilder
  • French 20 Franc
  • German Mark
  • Hungarian 100 Korona
  • Italian 20 Lira
  • Mexican Peso & Ounza
  • Swiss 20 Franc
  • South African Krugerrand Gold Coins
  • Collectible coins or rare coins, including certified or graded coins

FAQ About Approved Precious Metals for IRA

What Does IRA Eligible Silver Mean?

Not just any silver coin or bars will qualify for a silver IRA account. Approved silver investments must fall under a pre-approved list of eligible items as detailed above. Read IRS publications 590-A & 590-B for further details.

What is IRA Eligible Gold?

Just like with silver, not all gold bullion will qualify for a gold IRA account. Approved gold investments must fall under a pre-approved list (as detailed above), be pure 24-karat gold bullion bars (1 oz – 400 oz.), and secure an appropriate hallmark from a qualified refiner or assayer. Read the IRS publications 590-A & 590-B for further details.

How Do Precious Metals IRA Plans Work?

To invest in precious metals through a self-directed IRA, you must establish a valid IRA and have cash available in the IRA. Scottsdale Bullion & Coin has simplified the process of setting up a gold and silver IRA into six easy steps. Read: How a Precious Metals IRA Works

Read more Gold and Silver IRA Frequently Asked Questions

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