Company reviews
Goldco
Goldco has been in the precious metals IRA business since 2006, and a rollover specialist walks you through moving an existing 401(k) or IRA. It buys metals back at market rate without charging a commission, and it holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. It fits savers who want help with the paperwork and plan to move a meaningful amount.
Augusta Precious Metals
Augusta publishes its fees and puts its buyback terms in writing: a 5% spread when it repurchases your metals. Its $50,000 minimum is the highest here, which makes it a fit for larger rollovers. Some accounts can qualify for fee waivers, so ask for those terms on paper.
Noble Gold Investments
Noble Gold charges an $80 setup fee and a flat $275 a year that includes segregated storage, so your coins aren't pooled with anyone else's. The $20,000 minimum sits in the middle of the pack. Its buyback is priced near spot without a published formula, so get a buy quote and a same-day resale quote before you commit.
Lear Capital
Lear has been around since 1997, the longest of any company here. It posts its fees online, charges a low $50 setup fee and buys back at market rate with no fees. The catch: its fee waivers are tied to limited-mintage coins, which usually carry higher premiums than standard bullion.
American Hartford Gold
American Hartford Gold opens accounts from $10,000, offers all four IRS-approved metals and keeps a large library of guides. It advertises a no-fee buyback, but the terms aren't published, so ask for them in writing. Pricing isn't online either, and its setup fee runs up to $230.
Birch Gold Group
Birch lets you start with $5,000, the lowest minimum here. That cuts both ways: about $225–$235 in yearly fees is a large bite out of a small account, roughly 4.5% of $5,000 before any markup. Every purchase goes through a phone call, with no online buying.