What Gold and Silver Can Go in an IRA? (IRA-Approved Metals)

Not every gold or silver coin can go in an IRA. The tax law starts from the idea that coins and metals are collectibles, and IRAs aren't supposed to own collectibles. Then it makes a short list of exceptions.

If you know those exceptions, you can read a dealer's offer with a clear eye. This page explains what the law allows, the purity standards it points to, the coins and bars custodians commonly accept, and what is not allowed.

What gold and silver can go in an IRA?

Two kinds of metal qualify: certain coins that the law names, and bullion that meets a high purity standard.

The rule is in section 408(m) of the tax code. It says an IRA that buys a "collectible" is treated as if it paid that money out to you. The law lists coins and metals as collectibles. Then it excludes:

• Certain US coins: gold and silver American Eagles and certain platinum coins, all minted by the US Treasury.
• Coins issued under the laws of a US state.
• Gold, silver, platinum and palladium bullion of at least a set purity, as long as a trustee physically holds it.

The IRS sums this up in Publication 590-A. Your IRA can hold one, one-half, one-quarter or one-tenth ounce US gold coins, and "one-ounce silver coins minted by the Treasury Department." It can also hold certain platinum coins and certain gold, silver, palladium and platinum bullion.

Which coins does the law name?

The law names the Gold American Eagle (in four sizes), the Silver American Eagle and US platinum coins. It does this by pointing to the federal coinage law that authorizes each one.

A troy ounce is the standard unit for precious metals. It is a little heavier than the ounce used for food.

Coins "issued under the laws of any State" are also excluded from the collectible rule.

What purity does IRA gold and silver bullion need?

Bullion must be at least as pure as the metal accepted for delivery on a regulated US futures exchange. The law points to that standard rather than setting its own number.

Bullion means bars, rounds or coins valued mainly for their metal. A futures exchange is a market where contracts to buy and sell metal are traded. The tax code says IRA bullion must meet "the minimum fineness that a contract market... requires" for delivery on a futures contract.

Here is the standard used by futures exchanges, which the law refers to. These figures come from the CME Group's rulebooks for its COMEX and NYMEX contracts:

Two things are worth knowing. First, the IRS itself doesn't print these numbers. It describes the bullion as "highly refined" and refers to the exchange standard. Second, exchanges can change their rules, so a custodian's current list is the practical test.

Purity is only half the bullion rule. The other half is that "a bank or an IRS-approved nonbank trustee" must physically hold it. Our page on gold IRA storage rules explains why you can't keep IRA metal at home.

Why are Gold American Eagles allowed if they aren't .995 pure?

Because the law names them directly. Their purity doesn't matter for the coin exception.

The US Mint lists the Gold American Eagle as 91.67% gold, 3% silver and the rest copper. That is 22 karat gold, below the .995 bullion standard. It qualifies anyway, because section 408(m) names it by pointing to the coinage law.

Foreign gold coins don't get that pass. They have to meet the bullion purity standard on their own. STRATA Trust, one IRA custodian, lists the South African Krugerrand and the British Sovereign as unacceptable metals, even though both are well-known gold coins.

What coins and bars do custodians commonly accept?

Most custodians accept the named US coins plus well-known government bullion coins and bars from approved refiners, as long as they meet the purity standard.

We found no list of specific approved products on IRS.gov. Each custodian publishes its own. As one example, STRATA Trust's published list (checked October 2026) includes:

This is an example of what exists, not a recommendation of the custodian or the coins. The US Buffalo gold coin, for instance, is 99.99% gold according to the US Mint, so it clears the bullion standard.

Custodians also set rules of their own. STRATA, for example, requires bars, rounds and coins to come from an accredited refiner or a national mint, with the producer's mark. It says bullion coins must be in brilliant uncirculated condition and free from damage. A custodian can refuse metal that the law would allow. The IRS confirms that "IRA trustees are permitted to impose additional restrictions on investments."

What metals are not allowed in an IRA?

Rare coins, collector coins and anything that is neither a named coin nor pure enough to count as bullion. Gems and other collectibles are out too.

The law lists these as collectibles: art, rugs, antiques, metals, gems, stamps, coins, alcoholic beverages and certain other personal property. Metals and coins escape that list only through the exceptions above. In practice, these are usually not allowed:

• Rare or "numismatic" coins. Numismatic means valued by collectors for rarity or condition, not for metal.
• Most older foreign gold coins, such as the Krugerrand, the British Sovereign and old European francs and marks on STRATA's list.
• Jewelry, which is metal but not bullion.
• Bars from refiners your custodian doesn't accept.

If an IRA buys something that doesn't qualify, the IRS treats the purchase as a distribution in the year of purchase. The amount is what the item cost. It is generally taxed as income, and if you are under 59½ a 10% additional tax may apply.

What about proof coins and graded coins?

The law doesn't use the word "graded," and the IRS's public pages don't address proof coins. Get your custodian's answer in writing before you pay extra for either.

A proof coin is a specially struck coin with a mirror-like finish, made for collectors. A graded coin has been rated for condition by a grading service and sealed in a plastic holder.

Here is what we could confirm:

• The coinage law for US platinum coins, which the IRA exception points to, covers "platinum bullion coins and proof platinum coins."
• For gold and silver, the IRA exception points to the coinage law paragraphs that describe the bullion American Eagles. We found nothing on IRS.gov that says whether proof versions are included.
• Custodian policies differ. STRATA lists American Eagle "bullion and/or proof coins" as acceptable, and requires proof coins to be in complete original mint packaging with the certificate of authenticity.

The bigger issue is price. The CFTC and FINRA warn that "semi-numismatic" is "a made-up industry term," and that dealers may use collector language to justify overinflated spreads. If someone charges more for collectible coins in an IRA, they say, "it's likely a scam." Our page on gold IRA scams and red flags covers the other warning signs.

How can you check that your metal qualifies?

Ask before you buy, and get the answers in writing. Then check your statement after the metal arrives.

People in this situation often:

1. Ask the custodian, not only the dealer, whether each coin or bar is on its accepted list.
2. Ask for the purity and the refiner or mint for each bar, in writing.
3. Compare the price with the metal's value. The CFTC suggests multiplying the weight by the current spot price and comparing that with what you are quoted.
4. Read the first statement. The CFTC says custodian statements show the "melt" value, which is the weight times the spot price. Check that the ounces match what you paid for.

What eligible metals still can't do

Meeting the IRA rules makes a coin allowed, not a good investment. Eligible metal still pays no income, costs money to store every year, and its price can swing or stay flat for long stretches. A dealer also buys it back below the market price.

That is why this site treats metals as one small part of a retirement plan, never the whole plan. Our page on how much of your portfolio should be in gold looks at common ranges, and how to protect your retirement savings after 50 covers the other tools. For silver in particular, see what a silver IRA is. Before you choose any metal, it helps to talk to a fee-only fiduciary or a tax professional.

If you want to buy coins or bars outside an IRA, our sister site, bestgoldsilverinvestment.com, covers that.