What purity does gold need to be for an IRA?

IRA gold must generally be at least 99.5% pure (.995 fineness). The American Gold Eagle is a notable statutory exception — it is eligible despite being .9167 fine. Silver must be 99.9% pure, and platinum and palladium must be 99.95% pure.

Can I hold collectible or rare coins in a gold IRA?

Generally no. The IRS excludes collectibles, and most graded, numismatic, or rare coins are not IRA-eligible. They also carry high markups tied to rarity rather than the metal itself. Stick to approved investment-grade bullion coins and bars.

Which gold coins are IRA-approved?

Common eligible coins include the American Gold Eagle, American Gold Buffalo, Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, and Australian Kangaroo, along with approved bars meeting the purity minimums. Always confirm a specific product's eligibility with your custodian or dealer.

Which metals are IRS-approved for an IRA?

An IRA can hold four precious metals — gold, silver, platinum, and palladium — but only in forms that meet IRS purity standards and come from approved mints or refiners. The rules exist to keep retirement accounts in genuine investment-grade bullion rather than speculative collectibles.

The minimum purity (fineness) standards

Gold: 99.5% pure (.995 fineness) or higher.
Silver: 99.9% pure (.999 fineness) or higher.
Platinum: 99.95% pure (.9995 fineness) or higher.
Palladium: 99.95% pure (.9995 fineness) or higher.

There is one famous exception: the American Gold Eagle. At .9167 fineness it falls below the .995 gold standard, but it is specifically authorized by statute and is IRA-eligible anyway.

Examples of eligible products

American Gold Eagle and American Gold Buffalo coins.
Canadian Gold Maple Leaf coins.
Australian Kangaroo / Nugget gold coins.
Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bars from approved refiners (e.g., COMEX/NYMEX-approved or accredited refiners) meeting the purity minimums.
American Silver Eagle coins and Canadian Silver Maple Leafs.

What is NOT eligible

The clearest line in the rules: collectibles are out. Graded, 'proof' (with limited exceptions like proof Eagles in proper packaging), numismatic, and rare coins generally do not belong in an IRA. Neither do products below the purity thresholds, such as older circulated coins or pre-1933 gold.

Bars vs. coins

Both can be IRA-eligible if they meet purity standards and come from approved sources. Coins like the Eagle and Maple Leaf are widely recognized and easy to resell. Bars can carry lower premiums per ounce, which matters because a lower premium means more metal for your money. Many investors hold a mix.

Storage is part of eligibility

Even eligible metals must be held at an IRS-approved depository to keep their tax-advantaged status. You can't take the coins home and still call them IRA assets — that's treated as a distribution.

The practical takeaway

Stick to recognized bullion coins and approved bars at or above the purity minimums, store them at an approved depository, and be skeptical of any dealer nudging you toward 'special' collectible coins for your IRA. Simple, liquid, investment-grade bullion is almost always the right answer.

This content is for general education only and is not financial, tax, legal, or investment advice. Investing in precious metals carries risk, including loss of principal. Consult a licensed professional before making decisions.