It can't be printed
Dollars are created with a keystroke; the supply of gold grows roughly 1.5% a year through hard, expensive mining. Scarcity is the whole point — it's why gold has survived every fiat experiment in history.
Independent · Since the gold standard ended in 1971
One of them lost 87% of its value.
The other outlived every currency that tried to replace it.
The dollar is a promise. Gold is a settlement. We track the quiet war between them — and show Americans how to move retirement savings into physical gold, the right way, with the companies worth trusting.
- ~87%
- dollar purchasing power lost since 1971
- $35→$2k+
- gold per ounce, same period
- 5,000 yrs
- gold has stored value
◆Since 1971, the U.S. dollar has lost ~87% of its purchasing power◆Gold: $35/oz in 1971 → multi-thousand-dollar territory today◆The Fed's balance sheet expanded over 9× since 2008◆Central banks bought record tonnes of gold in recent years◆$100 in 1971 buys roughly $13 of goods today◆Gold has held value across every fiat currency collapse in history◆Since 1971, the U.S. dollar has lost ~87% of its purchasing power◆Gold: $35/oz in 1971 → multi-thousand-dollar territory today◆The Fed's balance sheet expanded over 9× since 2008◆Central banks bought record tonnes of gold in recent years◆$100 in 1971 buys roughly $13 of goods today◆Gold has held value across every fiat currency collapse in history
The chart they don't print on the dollar
Two assets. Fifty years. Opposite directions.
One ounce of gold bought a fine men's suit in 1971. It still does. The same dollars that bought it have quietly evaporated.
1971
1981
1991
2001
2011
2021
2025
$1.00 → ≈ $0.13 · −87%
1971
1981
1991
2001
2011
2021
2025
$35 → ≈ $2,650 · +7,471%
Figures approximate and illustrative. Dollar purchasing power on a CPI basis (BLS); gold prices rounded (LBMA). Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Why gold
Four reasons the wealthy have always kept some.
Gold isn't about getting rich quickly. It's about not getting quietly poorer while you hold cash. Here's the case, plainly.
It hedges debasement
When central banks expand the money supply, each existing dollar buys less. Gold has historically held — and often gained — real value through exactly those periods of inflation and currency weakness.
It has no counterparty
A bond is someone's promise. A bank balance is a liability on someone's books. Physical gold you own outright answers to no one and can't default. In a crisis, that independence is the asset.
It's tax-advantaged in an IRA
A self-directed gold IRA lets you hold IRS-approved physical metals inside a retirement account — rolling over a 401(k) or IRA without triggering a taxable event when done correctly.
2026 Editorial Rankings
The best gold IRA companies, ranked.
Our independent assessment of the dealers worth your retirement — judged on fees, transparency, storage, reputation, and buyback terms.
No.DealerMinimumOur score
IFeatured
Newmont Capital Group
★ Editor's Choice 2026Our top-rated featured partner: BBB A+ rated, transparent spot-based pricing, IRS-approved depository partners, and a no-obligation buyback commitment. Full details on newmontcapitalgroup.com.
- ✦BBB A+ rating
- ✦Transparent, spot-based pricing
- ✦Delaware Depository, Brinks & Loomis storage
- ✦No-obligation buyback commitment
- ✦No-Fees-For-Life program on qualifying accounts
Augusta Precious Metals
$50,000
4.4
03Birch Gold Group
$10,000
4.3
04Goldco
$25,000
4.2
05American Hartford Gold
$10,000
4.0
Read full company reviews →
Ratings are our independent editorial opinion, not user reviews.
The field guide
Know it before you buy it.
Independent, plain-English guides written to help you avoid the pitfalls — not to rush you into a sale.
Rollover
Read guide →How to roll a 401(k) into a gold IRA without penalty
The 60-day rule, direct vs. indirect transfers, and the mistakes that trigger a taxable event.
Due diligence
Read guide →7 gold IRA scams — and the red flags that expose them
Fake 'free silver' offers, numismatic upsells, and high-pressure cold calls. How to verify a dealer in minutes.
Fees
Read guide →What a gold IRA actually costs
Setup, custodian, storage and spread — what's normal, what's a markup, and how to read a fee schedule.
Basics
Read guide →Which metals are IRS-approved for an IRA?
Purity standards, eligible coins and bars, and why collectible coins don't belong in a retirement account.
Straight answers
Questions smart investors ask first.
Is a gold IRA a scam?+
A gold IRA itself is a legitimate, IRS-recognized type of self-directed retirement account that holds physical precious metals. Scams come from bad actors, not the product: watch for high-pressure 'free silver' offers, numismatic/collectible coin upsells, and dealers who won't disclose fees. Stick with established companies that have a strong BBB record, transparent spot-based pricing, and IRS-approved depository storage.
How do I avoid gold IRA scams?+
Verify the dealer's BBB rating and complaint history, confirm they use an IRS-approved depository (e.g., Delaware Depository, Brinks), insist on transparent pricing tied to the spot market, and avoid anyone pushing collectible/numismatic coins for an IRA or warning you the economy will collapse 'tomorrow.' Start with a smaller amount to test their service before committing more.
Can I roll over my 401(k) into gold without paying taxes?+
Yes — when done correctly. A direct rollover (or trustee-to-trustee transfer) of eligible 401(k) or IRA funds into a self-directed gold IRA is not a taxable event. Problems arise with indirect rollovers that miss the 60-day window. A reputable custodian and dealer will handle the paperwork to keep it penalty-free.
Does gold really protect against inflation?+
Historically, yes. Because gold's supply can't be expanded at will like fiat currency, it has tended to hold or grow its real value during periods of high inflation and currency debasement. Since 1971, the dollar has lost roughly 87% of its purchasing power while gold has risen from $35/oz to multi-thousand-dollar territory. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
What metals can I hold in a gold IRA?+
The IRS permits certain gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products that meet minimum purity standards (e.g., 99.5% for gold) and come from approved mints/refiners — such as American Gold Eagles and many bullion bars. Collectible and graded 'numismatic' coins are generally not eligible.
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- ✓How a gold IRA rollover actually works
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- ✓What fees to expect — and what to avoid
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