Independent guides since 2014
Gold, silver and precious-metals IRAs, explained plainly.
How gold IRAs work, what bullion really costs, and the IRS rules that trip people up. We don’t sell metal, and every guide links to its sources.
At a glance
2026 rules
IRA contribution limit
$8,600 if you’re 50 or older
$7,500
Minimum gold purity
American Eagles are exempt
99.5%
Minimum silver purity
Platinum and palladium: 99.95%
99.9%
Keep IRA metal at home?
A bank or approved trustee must hold it
No
Top rate on gold gains
Long-term, held outside an IRA
28%
Sources: IRS, CME Group and the U.S. Tax Court. How we check facts
Independent. We don’t sell metal.
Every guide lists its sources
Each guide shows when it was last updated
Start here
Three guides that answer most questions
What is a gold IRA?
An IRA that owns physical metal instead of funds: how it works, what it costs and who it suits.
Coins or bars?
Bars usually cost less over the spot price. Coins are easier to sell in small amounts. Here’s how to choose.
Why you pay more than spot
Premiums, dealer spreads and the other costs of owning gold, so you can check a quote before you pay.
Quick answers
The questions readers ask most
The short answer comes first. Each one links to the full guide and its sources.
Can I keep my IRA gold at home?
No. IRA metal has to be held by a bank or an IRS-approved trustee. In 2021 the U.S. Tax Court ruled that coins an IRA owner kept at home counted as taxable distributions.
Which metals can go in an IRA?
Gold, silver, platinum and palladium bullion that meets minimum purity standards, plus certain U.S. Mint coins such as American Eagles, which are exempt from the purity rule.
How much can I put in an IRA in 2026?
$7,500, or $8,600 if you’re 50 or older. Moving money over from an existing IRA or 401(k) doesn’t count toward that limit.
Do I pay tax when I sell gold I own outright?
On a gain, yes. The IRS treats bullion as a collectible, so long-term gains are taxed at up to 28%, above the top rate that applies to most stocks.
Coin guides
Six bullion coins worth knowing
Purity, mint and IRA status at a glance. Each guide covers sizes, prices and how to spot fakes.
American Gold Eagle
IRA-eligible
American Gold Buffalo
IRA-eligible
Canadian Gold Maple Leaf
IRA-eligible
British Gold Britannia
IRA-eligible (2013 on)
Austrian Gold Philharmonic
IRA-eligible
South African Krugerrand
Not IRA-eligible
Latest
Recently published guides
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How gold and silver are taxed when you sell
Gains on gold and silver are taxed as collectibles, at up to 28%. How the rate works, what counts as your cost, and how IRAs, ETFs and inherited metal differ.
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American Silver Eagle: specs, designs and what to know before you buy
The U.S. Mint’s silver bullion coin: specs, the two designs, why it’s allowed in an IRA, what drives its premium, and how to spot a fake before you buy.
Who writes this
Gramercy Gold Editorial Team
We research precious metals and retirement-account rules and write them up in plain English. We aren’t financial advisors, and every guide cites the rules and data it relies on.
James Shaffer is our editor, and Thomas Rockford, a financial analyst, reviews guides for accuracy.
We don’t sell metal. If a page ever links to a company that pays us, the page will say so.