Our two picks, ranked
| # | Company | Best for | BBB | Minimum purchase | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Augusta Precious Metals 4.8/5 | Buyers starting with $50,000 or more who want the process explained first | A+ | $50,000 | Request Augusta Kit → |
| 2 | Goldco 4.6/5 | Buyers who want a free-metal promotion* and both IRA and direct-purchase routes | A+ | Not published | Request Goldco Kit → |
The short answer
If you expect to start with $50,000 or more and want to understand how a gold account works before you decide, Augusta Precious Metals is the better fit on what each company publishes. If you want the choice of an IRA or a direct purchase, are interested in a free-metal promotion*, and are happy to ask for details Goldco does not post, Goldco is the other option. Neither is the right pick if you want to buy a few coins with a small amount of cash: a local coin shop or an online dealer is built for that, and a bank may not sell gold at all.
Key takeaways
- There are five common ways to buy gold and silver: a bank, a local coin shop, an online dealer, a brokerage, or a company that sets up a gold IRA. They differ in what you can buy, how you are charged, where the metal sits and how you sell later.
- None of the large US banks we checked list gold coins or bars on their own pages. Our list of banks shows the ones that do.
- Augusta publishes a $50,000 minimum. Goldco does not publish one, so you have to ask.
- Both companies' kits are free to request, but the forms ask for your phone number and agree you to calls and texts. Read the fine print before you submit.
- Any cost, premium or bonus should be put in writing before you pay. We print no cost figures, because the ones repeated online are often wrong; what to ask is on its own page.
Disclosure
Stallion Gold may earn a commission when you request a kit or buy through our links to Augusta or Goldco. Our links add no charge. That does not decide the order above; the criteria in "How we compared them" do. See our affiliate disclosure. This is general information, not financial advice.
Where people buy gold and silver
Gold and silver can be bought in several places, and the right one depends on how much you are buying, whether the money is retirement savings, and whether you want to hold the metal yourself. Every route prices the metal the same way at its core: the spot price, plus a premium that covers the seller's costs and profit. What differs is who the seller is, who holds the metal, and how easy it is to sell later.
| Where | What it sells | Where the metal sits | Selling it later | Who it tends to suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A bank | Depends on the bank; some sell none | With you, or in the bank's own arrangement | Ask the bank before you buy | Someone who already banks there and has confirmed they sell |
| A local coin shop | Coins and bars in stock | With you | Ask the shop about buying back | A small, hands-on purchase |
| An online dealer | Coins and bars listed on its site | Shipped to you | Ask about the dealer's buyback, or sell to another buyer | A cash purchase of known products |
| A brokerage | Fidelity, for example, sells certain coins and bars and offers metal funds | Held by the seller's partner (FideliTrade, in Fidelity's case) | Ask the brokerage | Someone who wants metal near their other accounts |
| A gold IRA company | Metals for a retirement account, plus cash purchases | A depository, not at home | Ask the company about buying back | A retirement saver rolling over an existing account |
A few points sit behind the table. A bank's own website is the place to check whether it sells gold at all; we checked each one's own website and set out the result on our banks page. Fidelity does offer physical metals and lets certain coins and bars into its IRAs, as we explain in Does Fidelity Have a Gold IRA?. And any metal in an IRA has to be held by the IRA's custodian, not at home, which is why storage is part of the choice.
What a gold company actually does
Three different jobs are often bundled under one brand, and it helps to know which is which.
- The dealer sells you the metal and, usually, buys it back.
- The custodian holds the IRA itself. It opens the account, receives the money from your old plan and reports to the IRS. The IRS says the custodian must be a bank, a federally insured credit union, a savings and loan association or another entity the IRS approves.
- The depository is the vault where the metal is stored. Under the IRS rules, coins in an IRA must be in the custodian's possession, or they are treated as having been distributed to you.
When a company says it "handles everything", ask which of the three it is, and who the other two are.
The two companies
Augusta Precious Metals
4.8/5Best for buyers starting with $50,000 or more who want the process explained first
- Started
- 2012
- BBB profile
- A+ rating; accredited since February 17, 2015
- Minimum purchase
- $50,000 for a first purchase, cash or IRA
- What you can buy
- Gold and silver bullion, in an IRA or by cash purchase
- IRA or home delivery
- Both. Cash purchases ship anywhere in the United States
- Storage
- A depository you can choose; its FAQ lists facilities in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Dallas and Wilmington, among others
- IRA custodian
- Its FAQ names Equity Trust as the firm it coordinates with on IRA transfers
- Buyback
- Says it has never declined a buyback, adds that no dealer can legally guarantee one and that its policy can change without notice
- Free kit
- "2026 Gold & Silver IRA Info Kit" with four guides, per its homepage
Why it ranks first
Augusta puts more of its process in front of a reader before any money moves than the other company does. It publishes its starting amount, names the kind of storage and the custodian it works with, and says what its education step is: an appointment with its education team, which Augusta describes as salaried and non-commissioned. Its BBB profile shows an A+ rating and accreditation since 2015.
Strengths
- States a minimum purchase, storage options and a custodian where a reader can find them.
- Describes a learning step before the sales conversation, in its own words.
- States its buyback record and the legal limit on guarantees in the same sentence.
Things to know
- The $50,000 minimum applies to cash and IRA purchases alike. Augusta's own FAQ says that anyone below it can use its public educational resources and come back later.
- Its kit page does not say what the kit contains beyond the title on its homepage, or what happens after you submit the form. The form's fine print says you agree to calls and texts, including automated ones, and that consent is not a condition of any purchase.
- Awards and review totals on its pages are Augusta's own claims.
Who it suits
Savers or buyers who expect to start with $50,000 or more and want a conversation about how gold accounts work before deciding.
Goldco
4.6/5Best for buyers who want a free-metal promotion* and both IRA and direct-purchase routes
- Started
- 2011, per its BBB profile
- BBB profile
- A+ rating; accredited since December 9, 2011
- Minimum purchase
- Not published on the pages we read. Confirm with Goldco
- What you can buy
- Gold and silver coins, in an IRA or by direct purchase
- IRA or home delivery
- Both. Direct purchases go to a depository or to you
- Storage
- An independent insured depository. Not named on the pages we read
- IRA custodian
- Says it works with established custodians and the customer picks one. None named
- Buyback
- Says it has a "Highest BuyBack Guarantee". We did not read its full terms
- Free kit
- A free gold and silver kit sent to your door, after which a specialist contacts you
Why it ranks second
Goldco has been in business since 2011 by its BBB profile, which shows an A+ rating and accreditation since December of that year. It offers both an IRA route and direct purchases, and it pairs a request for its kit with a free-metal promotion* that has conditions attached. It ranks behind Augusta because the pages we read leave more for the reader to ask: no minimum, no depository and no custodian named.
Strengths
- A long record in its BBB profile, and a choice between an IRA and direct purchase.
- Says it will help you find a self-directed custodian and that your statements come from that custodian.
- Runs a free-metal promotion* with its terms printed on its own offer page.
Things to know
- It publishes no minimum purchase. Ask before you give a phone number.
- Its buyback promise is Goldco's own wording and its detailed terms were not read for this page; ask for them in writing.
- The promotion needs a qualifying purchase, and the terms printed at the foot of this page control. Different pages on Goldco's side word the offer slightly differently, so read the terms attached to the version you are shown.
- The form's fine print authorises Goldco or a party acting for it to contact you by email, text, recorded message or automated phone technology for marketing, and says consent is not a condition of any purchase.
Who it suits
Buyers who want the option of an IRA or a direct purchase, are interested in a free-metal promotion, and are comfortable asking for the details Goldco does not publish.
Augusta or Goldco: which one fits your situation
| If your situation is… | Augusta Precious Metals | Goldco |
|---|---|---|
| Starting amount | Publishes a $50,000 minimum for cash and IRA | Publishes none; ask before you submit the form |
| Retirement account or cash | Both | Both |
| What you learn before buying | An appointment with its education team, described by Augusta as salaried and non-commissioned | A free kit, then a call from a specialist |
| Storage | Choose among depositories; several cities listed on its FAQ | An independent insured depository; none named on the pages we read |
| IRA custodian | Its FAQ names Equity Trust | Works with established custodians; you pick one |
| Buyback | Says it has never declined one; cannot guarantee future ones | Calls its program a "Highest BuyBack Guarantee"; terms not read |
| Free-metal promotion | Ask Augusta about current offers | Yes, with conditions* |
| Best if | You are starting large and want it explained first | You want a promotion and a choice of routes, and will ask for the details |
How requesting a kit and buying works
The steps are similar for both companies, and it helps to know them before the phone rings.
- You fill in a short form. Both ask for your name, email address and phone number. The fine print agrees you to marketing calls and texts, including automated ones, and says consent is not a condition of any purchase.
- A kit is sent, or a specialist calls. Augusta describes an information kit and an appointment with its education team; Goldco describes a free gold and silver kit and a call from one of its specialists.
- You ask the questions that matter. Starting amount, where the metal is stored, who the custodian is, what buying back involves, and every cost, in writing. Our guide to gold IRA costs lists what to ask.
- You open an account or place an order. For an IRA that means choosing a self-directed custodian and starting a transfer or rollover; our guide to rolling over a 401(k) walks through it. For a cash purchase it means agreeing the order and paying.
- The metal is delivered or vaulted. An IRA's metal goes to a depository. A cash purchase can go to a depository or to you.
- You keep the paperwork. Statements, the invoice and the buyback terms are what you will need later.
Nothing obliges you to continue after the kit or the first call.
Gold or silver: what changes when you buy
The two metals behave differently in practice, whatever the price chart shows. An ounce of silver costs far less than an ounce of gold, so the same money buys more ounces of silver, and those ounces take up more space and weigh more. Premiums, the extra over spot, differ by coin or bar and by seller, so ask each seller to quote the total for the exact item, in writing, and compare totals rather than headlines. How easily each metal sells later depends on the product and the buyer; ask before you buy. Our guide to buying through a bank and our guide on gold in a recession cover two common questions.
How we compared them
We looked at the same five things for each company, in this order of importance.
- Track record and complaint history (the most weight). Years in business, the BBB profile, and any regulator action we could find.
- How clearly the process is explained. What you can learn, and what is said about the form and the calls, before you give a phone number.
- Buyback. Whether the company states a policy in plain words, and what limits it attaches.
- Storage and custody. Whether depositories and custodians are named, and whether you can choose.
- Starting amount. Whether the company publishes one, and who that rules in or out.
Each company's scores come from those five, and they are our editorial scores, not customer ratings. We did not place an order with either company. Where a company's own page and an independent record disagree, we say so.
IRS rules for gold in a retirement account
An IRA can hold some precious metals, but not all of them, and not in your own safe. These are the points the IRS publishes in its own guidance.
- Only certain metals. The IRS treats most coins and metals as collectibles, and money put into collectibles from a traditional IRA counts as a distribution. Exceptions cover certain gold and silver coins minted by the US Treasury, certain platinum coins, and certain gold, silver, palladium and platinum bullion. IRS Publication 590-A has the list.
- The custodian holds it. Coins must be in the possession of the IRA's custodian or trustee; if the owner takes possession, they are treated as distributed. Publication 590-B says so.
- Rollover mechanics matter. A direct rollover from an employer plan has no tax withheld; a distribution paid to you has 20% withheld by the plan, and you have 60 days to deposit it. See the IRS page on rollovers of retirement plan and IRA distributions.
- Withdrawals follow the usual rules. Distributions before age 59½ can carry an additional 10% tax unless an exception applies, and required distributions generally start at 73. Roth IRA owners do not take required distributions during their lifetime.
Talk to a tax professional before you move any retirement money.
Red flags when buying gold
- Pressure to decide today. A price that is fair now will still be fair after a day to think it over.
- A fee or cost quoted only by phone. Anything real can be put in writing.
- A bonus whose terms are not in writing. A free-metal promotion* comes with conditions, and you are entitled to read them before you agree. Ask for them in a document, then compare what the same money buys from another seller.
- Rare or "exclusive" coins pushed for a retirement account. Most coins are collectibles in the IRS's eyes, and only listed products are allowed.
- A buyback "guarantee" with no written terms. Augusta says in its own FAQ that the law does not allow any dealer to guarantee a future repurchase.
- Home storage for IRA metal. See the IRS rules above.
- Someone calling to say you must hand over gold or cash. Real agencies do not ask you to buy or deliver gold; see our scammer list.
Glossary
- Bullion
- Metal sold for what it weighs and how pure it is, as coins or bars, not for rarity.
- Spot price
- The going market price for one ounce of metal delivered right away.
- Premium
- The extra a buyer pays on top of the spot value of a coin or bar.
- Spread
- The difference between a dealer's selling price for an item and the price it would offer to buy the same item from you.
- Custodian
- The financial firm that administers a self-directed IRA, holds its assets and reports to the IRS.
- Depository
- The vault where an IRA's metal is physically kept.
- Rollover
- A move of retirement savings from an employer plan, such as a 401(k), into an IRA.
- Self-directed IRA
- An IRA that may hold certain physical metals, which an ordinary IRA usually does not.
- Numismatic coin
- A coin priced for its rarity or collecting appeal as well as its metal.
Common questions
Do banks sell gold?
Some do, and many do not. We checked each bank's own website and set out what we found, with the banks that list gold coins or bars, on our banks page. Always confirm with the branch.
Is a free gold kit really free?
The kit costs nothing to request. What you give in return is your contact details and agreement to be contacted, so read the form's fine print. We explain what each kit is in our free kit guide.
Is gold safe in a recession?
It has not always risen when the economy fell, and it has fallen in sell-offs. Our guide shows what happened around each recession since 2001.
What do forecasters expect for the gold price?
They disagree, and they have been wrong before. Our price predictions page lists dated forecasts with their sources.
Can I roll a 401(k) into a gold IRA?
Often, depending on your plan. Our rollover guide explains the IRS rules.
Update history
| Date | What changed |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-08 | Page rebuilt. Company facts re-read on each company's own pages and BBB profile on this date. Goldco's offer terms re-read on its offer page. |
About our editorial team
Frequently asked questions
Which company should a first-time buyer pick?
It depends on the amount and the route. Augusta publishes a $50,000 minimum and describes an education step before buying. Goldco publishes no minimum and offers both routes. For a small cash purchase, a local coin shop or an online dealer may suit better than either.
Do I have to buy anything after I request a kit?
No. Both kits can be requested without buying. The forms do agree you to contact by phone and text, so expect calls.
Can I keep IRA gold at home?
The IRS says the coins must be held by the IRA's custodian or trustee; coins taken into your own possession are treated as distributed. Ask the custodian about approved storage instead.
What is the difference between a custodian and a depository?
The custodian runs the IRA and reports to the IRS; the depository stores the metal. They are different firms.
Is the free-silver promotion automatic?
No. It applies to a qualifying purchase under Goldco's own terms, which are printed at the foot of this page*.
Where can I check a gold dealer?
Start with the dealer's BBB profile, your state securities regulator and the federal guidance linked in our scammer list. Retail metal dealers are not regulated at the federal level, so a missing registration does not by itself prove a problem.
Sources
- Augusta Precious Metals: homepage and FAQ, read 2026-10-08
- Goldco: homepage and buy gold and silver page, read 2026-10-08
- Better Business Bureau: Augusta profile and Goldco profile
- Internal Revenue Service: Publication 590-A, Publication 590-B, rollovers of retirement plan and IRA distributions
- CFTC and FINRA: 10 things to know about metals dealers
- Fidelity: precious metals page
From our guides
GoldThe Complete Gold Scammer List: Updated for 2026
There is no single gold scammer list. Here are the six scams regulators keep documenting, the cases behind them, and the official ways to check a dealer.
Gold IRADoes Fidelity Have a Gold IRA?
Fidelity IRAs can hold a stated list of physical gold, silver and platinum products, plus gold funds. Here is what that covers and how it compares.
Gold IRAHow to Get a Free Gold IRA Kit in 2026
What a free gold IRA kit contains, what happens after you request one, how the Augusta and Goldco kits differ, and the red flags in other offers.
GoldIs Gold a Good Buy During a Recession?
What daily price history shows about gold in the 2001, 2007-09 and 2020 recessions, including when gold fell, plus what to weigh before buying.
Gold IRAGold IRA Fees: What to Ask Before You Open an Account (2026)
Where gold IRA costs come from, who sets each one, and the questions to put in writing before you open an account. No company figures, only what to ask.
Gold IRAHow to Convert a 401k to a Gold IRA in 2026
A 401(k) is not converted into gold, it is rolled over into a self-directed IRA that can hold approved metals. Here is how the IRS rules work and what to check.
GoldList of Banks That Sell Gold Coins and Bars
Which banks list gold coins or bars on their own websites, what each page says, and why the big US banks are not on the list. Checked on 2026-10-08.
GoldExpert Gold Price Predictions for 2026
Dated 2026 gold price forecasts from J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and UBS, read on their own pages, plus how past forecasts fared.*Applies only to qualified orders. Get up to 5% back in FREE Silver when you purchase $50,000 - $99,999 in Goldco premium coins. Get 10% in FREE Silver when you purchase $100,000 or more in Goldco premium coins. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Additional rules may apply. Contact your representative to find out if your order qualifies. For additional details, please see your customer agreement. Goldco does not offer financial or tax advice regarding the purchase of precious metals.