IRA-Approved Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium Metals

Table of Contents

Eligible Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium Purities

What Are IRA-Eligible Precious Metals?

Self-directed IRAs can hold physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, as long as the precious metals are IRS-approved. These four metals are eligible to be included in a Precious Metals IRA when held as bullion bars or specific coins like the American Gold Eagle and Canadian Maple Leaf.

Purity Requirements

There are minimum purity requirements for Precious Metal IRAs, gold must be 99.5% (.995), silver must be 99.9% (.999), platinum and palladium must be 99.95% (.9995). The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 expanded the list of precious metals permitted in IRAs, which were previously limited to American Eagle gold and silver coins. Following this legislation, IRAs could also hold bullion bars and select foreign coins, as long as they met strict IRS requirements for purity and were produced by accredited mints or refiners. This includes U.S. gold coins in 1 oz, ½ oz, ¼ oz, and 1/10 oz sizes, and 1 oz silver coins issued by the U.S. Treasury Department or approved foreign sovereign mints.

The minimum fineness requirement applies to all allowed products like all rules in Gold IRAs. You can then purchase gold coins and gold bars, silver, platinum, and palladium with your IRA.

Purity standards tend to stay the same, rarely changing and would be announced via IRS publications or regulatory notices.

Requirements

Coins and bars must be produced by an accredited or certified entity including: NYMEX, COMEX, LBMA, ISO 9000, LME, TOCOM, LPPM, or a national government mint.
Proof coins must be encapsulated in original mint packaging, in excellent condition, and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
Bullion bars (excluding very large bars like 400 oz gold or 1000 oz silver) must be manufactured to exact weight specifications and include the producer's mint mark.
Non-proof bullion coins must be in brilliant uncirculated condition and free from damage, bends, or visible wear.
Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium can be held in the same self-directed IRA, as long as the assets meet IRS purity requirements.

The only exception to these requirements is the American Gold Eagle Bullion and Proof Coin (at 91.67% purity) as it is the only bullion coin that has its weight, content, and purity guaranteed by the U.S. government.

IRA-Approved Gold

Eligible gold in a Gold IRA needs to meet a a minimum fineness of 99.5% purity for coins and bullion bars, including the American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, and American Buffalo coins among others.

American Eagle Gold Coins

The American Eagle Gold Coin, produced by the U.S. Mint since 1986, is one of the most widely held IRA-approved gold bullion products. Struck in 22-karat gold (.9167 fineness), it contains one full troy ounce of pure gold but weighs slightly more due to its durable gold-silver-copper alloy.

The obverse features the Saint-Gaudens design of Lady Liberty, while the reverse was updated in 2021 with a detailed eagle profile. It carries a $50 face value and is available in fractional sizes of 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz.

The IRS permits American Gold Eagles in IRAs even though they have a low purity of 91.67% because they are minted by the United States Mint and meet the "publicly traded" criteria set by the IRS based on quality, recognition, & tradability.

Canadian Maple Leaf Gold Coins

The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, introduced by the Royal Canadian Mint in 1979, is a 24-karat (.9999 pure) gold coin known for its high purity and advanced security features. It has the profile of Canada's monarch on the obverse and a detailed maple leaf on the reverse.

With a $50 CAD face value for the 1 oz version, the coin is minted in a variety of fractional sizes of 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/20 oz and also offered in .99999 fine editions.

American Buffalo Gold Coins

The American Buffalo Gold Coin is the U.S. Mint's first 24-karat (.9999 fine) gold bullion coin, introduced in 2006 to compete with other pure gold offerings. Modeled after James Earle Fraser's 1913 Buffalo nickel, it features a Native American profile on the obverse and an American bison on the reverse.

The 1 oz coin has a $50 face value and is struck exclusively at the West Point Mint. While fractional sizes were briefly minted in 2008, the 1 oz version remains the standard IRA-approved format, offering investors a pure gold option backed by the U.S. government.

Austrian Philharmonic Gold Coins

The Austrian Philharmonic Gold Coin, minted by the Austrian Mint since 1989, is a 24-karat (.9999 fine) gold coin and legal tender in euros. The obverse features the pipe organ from Vienna's Musikverein Hall, while the reverse shows a collection of orchestral instruments symbolizing the Vienna Philharmonic.

Weighing 1 troy ounce with a €100 face value, a Gold Philharmonic measures 37mm in diameter and is also available in fractional sizes of 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz.

British Gold Britannia Coin

The British Britannia Gold Coin, issued by the Royal Mint since 1987, is a 1 oz gold bullion coin with a £100 face value. Initially minted in 22-karat gold, the coin has featured .9999 purity since 2013. The obverse shows the reigning monarch (now King Charles III) while the reverse depicts Britannia, a national symbol of strength and stability.

It includes advanced security features and is available in fractional denominations of 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz. This coin has a longstanding history and recognized legal tender status in the UK.

Other Eligible Gold Coins

Other gold coins allowed in an IRA include the Australian Gold Kangaroo/Nugget coin, Mexican Gold Libertad coin, and Australian Gold Lunar Series coin. You may see other gold coins offered when buying gold with a 401(k) and other retirement accounts, just make sure they meet the requirements.

Gold Bars

Gold bars are eligible in a Gold IRA as long as they meet eligibility requirements as detailed above. Common IRA bar sizes include 1 oz, 10 oz, and 1 kg. Smaller bars offer flexibility but have higher percentage premiums, while larger bars like 1 kg or 10 oz have lower premiums at 1 to 4 percent and are more cost-efficient, though less liquid.

IRS-approved private refiners with bars include Perth Mint, PAMP Suisse, Valcambi Suisse, Argor Heraeus, Credit Suisse, Engelhard, and Johnson Matthey, among others accredited by markets like LBMA (London Bullion Market Association), COMEX (The Commodity Exchange), or NYMEX (The New York Mercantile Exchange). Each bar is tagged with a unique serial number and assay certificate, which custodians verify & record in inventory checks and annual audits.

IRA-Approved Silver

IRA-approved silver includes silver coins and bars that meet IRS requirements for purity and manufacturer accreditation. Silver specifically must be at least 99.9% pure and produced by a COMEX- or LBMA-approved refiner or a government mint like the Royal Canadian Mint to be held in a Silver IRA.

American Eagle Silver Coins

Struck by the U.S. Mint since 1986, the American Silver Eagle is a 1oz bullion coin with a face value of $1 USD. Composed of .999 fine silver (plus trace copper), it measures 40.60mm in diameter and 2.98mm thick.

The obverse features Adolph A. Weinman's "Walking Liberty," while the 2021 reverse design presents an eagle in flight carrying an oak branch . Struck at the West Point Mint, it frequently includes proof and uncirculated types alongside bullion issues.

Canadian Maple Leaf Silver Coins

Issued by the Royal Canadian Mint since 1988, the Silver Maple Leaf is a 1oz bullion coin composed of .9999 fine silver, with a face value of 5CAD. Measuring 38.0mm in diameter and approximately 3.29mm thick, it features Queen Elizabeth II (now King Charles III) on the obverse and a distinctive maple leaf reverse. It has advanced security features, including radial lines and micro-engraved marks introduced in 2014.

Austrian Vienna Philharmonic Silver Coins

Minted annually by the Austrian Mint since 2008, the Silver Philharmonic is a 1oz .999 fine silver coin with a 37mm diameter and 3.2mm thickness. It carries a face value of €1.50 and displays Vienna's Musikverein organ on the obverse, with orchestral instruments on the reverse. Engraved by Thomas Pesendorfer, it's produced in Vienna and also offered in proof versions.

British Britannia Silver Coins

Since 1997, the Royal Mint's Silver Britannia has been issued as a bullion coin with a 1oz weight of .999 fine silver. It bears a £2 face value, measures 38.61mm in diameter and about 3mm thick. The obverse displays Queen Elizabeth II (now King Charles III), and the reverse shows Philip Nathan's Britannia figure. Available in fractional weights and notable for its post-2013 purity standards and security enhancements, it's a recognized option for IRA investors.

Other Eligible Silver Coins

Other silver coins allowed in an IRA include the Australian Kookaburra Silver coin, Australian Koala Silver coin, and Mexican Libertad Silver coin.

Silver Bars

Silver bars are eligible as long as they fit eligibility requirements as detailed above.

IRA-Approved Platinum

As only 99.95% purity platinum bullion is allowed in an IRA, there are two coins you'll primarily see as options including the Platinum American Eagle and Canadian Maple Leaf coins in a Platinum IRA.

American Eagle Platinum Coins

Introduced in 1997 by the U.S. Mint and authorized by Congress, the American Platinum Eagle is a platinum bullion coin with a face value of $100 for the 1 oz version. Composed of .9995 fine platinum, it weighs approximately 1.0005 troy ounces and measures 32.70 mm in diameter and 2.39 mm thick, with a reeded edge. The obverse bears John Mercanti's design of the Statue of Liberty, while the reverse features a soaring eagle by Thomas D. Rogers Sr. Proof editions display annually changing thematic reverses. Minted at West Point in fractional sizes (1/10, 1/4, 1/2, and 1 oz), it is the sole platinum coin guaranteed by the U.S. government and eligible for IRA inclusion.

Canadian Maple Leaf Platinum Coins

The Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf, first issued in 1988 by the Royal Canadian Mint and reintroduced in 2009, is a 1 oz bullion coin with a $50 CAD face value. Minted in .9995 fine platinum, it measures 30 mm in diameter and 2.62 mm thick. The obverse features the effigy of Canada's monarch, while the reverse shows a detailed maple leaf design with inscriptions of weight and purity. Produced in both bullion and proof formats, the coin is backed by the Canadian government, meets IRA purity requirements, and is produced in fractional sizes for flexible IRA allocation.

Other Eligible Platinum Coins

Other less common platinum coins allowed in an IRA include the Australian Koala Platinum coin, and Isle of Man Noble Platinum coin.

Platinum Bars

Platinum bars are eligible as long as they fit eligibility requirements as detailed above.

IRA-Approved Palladium

With 99.95% purity requirements, palladium products include the Palladium Canadian Maple Leaf and American Eagle coins that can be held in a Palladium IRA.

Canadian Maple Leaf Palladium Coins

First issued in 2005 and later reintroduced in 2009, the Canadian Palladium Maple Leaf by the Royal Canadian Mint is a 1 oz bullion coin with a $50 CAD face value. Minted in .9995 fine palladium, it has a 33 mm diameter and 3.58 mm thickness. The obverse displays Queen Elizabeth II (or King Charles III in current issues), while the reverse features the classic maple leaf design. Initially minted in limited runs, it is now issued annually, meeting IRA-approved standards and offering investors exposure to palladium's tight supply-demand dynamics.

American Eagle Palladium Coins

Released by the U.S. Mint in 2017, the American Palladium Eagle is a 1 oz palladium coin minted in .9995 fine palladium with a $25 USD face value. The obverse features Adolph A. Weinman's Winged Liberty design (first used in the Mercury dime), and the reverse adapts Weinman's 1907 American Institute of Architects medal eagle motif. Minted exclusively at West Point and available in bullion and proof variants (including reverse proof finishes), it represents the U.S. Mint's first palladium bullion offering and is valid for IRA inclusion under IRA self-directed metal rules.

Palladium Bars

Palladium bars are eligible as long as they fit eligibility requirements as detailed above.

What is Not Allowed in a Precious Metals IRA?

Only specific precious metal products are allowed in an IRA set by the IRS. Below Gold IRA Planners has listed common products you may come across but are not eligible to be held in a retirement account.

Non-approved precious metals products:

Rare or collectible coins.
Coins graded by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) or the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS).
Proof coins not approved by the IRS.
Commemorative coins without bullion status.
Pre-1933 gold.
Austrian Corona
Austrian Ducat
Belgian Franc
French Franc
Swiss Franc
British Sovereign
German Mark
Italian Lira
Mexican Peso
South African Krugerrand (Gold version)
Bars not minted by NYMEX/COMEX, LBMA, ISO 9001, or other IRS-recognized refiners.
Silver rounds without clear .999 purity and hallmark.

Make sure to contact your tax professional to confirm how you are investing your savings into precious metals, making sure they are permitted. Any non-qualifiying metal will be rejected at delivery or quarantined, then returned at your cost or liquidated by the custodian to comply with IRS rules.

Coins vs Bars in an IRA

Both coins and bars can be added to an IRA, with coins offering easier resale and government-backed recognition, whereas bars are available in larger weights, and often have lower premiums per ounce, making them cost-efficient for high-value allocations. Investor goals decide the optimal choice with liquidity, storage, and resale flexibility favoring coins and those prioritizing bulk value better off investing in bars. Keep in mind that there are required storage options of IRA metals so you will need to factor in storage costs with either coins or bars.

Premium fees on metals in an IRA range from 1-3% for bullion bars and 2-5% for coins over spot, depending on demand and rarity of the product. For rarer metals like platinum and palladium, the specific weight of a bar or coin such as 1 oz, 10 oz, or even 100 oz can significantly affect liquidity, pricing spreads, and IRA eligibility, especially when comparing product types and sizes within each metal.

Purchasing Metals & Planning Your Gold IRA

There's more to planning for a Gold IRA than just buying IRA-approved metals, from choosing a gold dealer to picking metal storage options. Gold IRA Planners provides you the resources you need to get a firm understanding of how Gold IRAs work as an investment so you can prepare confidently.