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IRA Allowable Precious Metals

Though IRAs were once limited to holding American Eagle gold and silver coins, today, IRAs can invest in IRS-permitted gold, silver, palladium and platinum bullion and coins. Thanks to the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 which expanded the precious metal holdings allowed in IRAs to include one, one-half, one-quarter or one-tenth ounce U.S. gold coins and one-ounce silver coins minted by the U.S. Treasury Department, along with certain foreign coins.

To qualify as IRA allowable precious metals and be accepted by STRATA, the following minimum fineness requirements must be met:

  • Gold must be 99.5% pure, silver must be 99.9% pure, and platinum and palladium must both be 99.95% pure.
  • Bars, rounds, and coins must be produced by a refiner, assayer, or manufacturer that is accredited/certified by NYMEX, COMEX, NYSE/Liffe, LME, LBMA, LPPM, TOCOM, ISO 9000, or national government mint. Precious metals must also have the producer’s mint mark and meet minimum fineness requirements.
  • Proof coins must be encapsulated in complete, original mint packaging, in excellent condition, and include the certificate of authenticity.
  • Small bullion bars (other than 400-ounce gold, 100-ounce gold, 1000-ounce silver; 50-ounce platinum and 100-ounce palladium bars) must be manufactured to exact weight specifications.
  • Non-proof (bullion) coins must be in brilliant uncirculated condition and free from damage.

 

Examples of Acceptable Gold Products
ž American Eagle bullion and/or proof coins
ž Australian Kangaroo/Nugget bullion coins
ž Australian Lunar Series coins
ž Austrian Philharmonic bullion coins
ž British Britannia (2013 and newer)
ž Canadian Maple Leaf coins
ž Chinese Panda coins
ž Credit Suisse – PAMP Suisse bars
ž U.S. Buffalo bullion coins
ž Other products that meet the minimum fineness requirements outlined above.

 

Silver – Examples of Acceptable Products
ž American Eagle bullion and/or proof coins
ž America the Beautiful coins
ž Australian Kookaburra coins
ž Austrian Vienna Philharmonic coins
ž British Britannia (2013 and newer)
ž Canadian Maple Leaf coins
ž Chinese Panda coins
ž Mexican Libertad bullion coins
ž Other products that meet the minimum fineness requirements outlined above.

 

Platinum – Examples of Acceptable Products
ž American Eagle bullion and/or proof coins
ž Australian Koala bullion coins
ž Canadian Maple Leaf bullion coins
ž Isle of Man Noble bullion coins
ž Other products that meet the minimum fineness requirements outlined above.

 

Palladium – Examples of Acceptable Products
ž Canadian Maple Leaf  coins
ž Other products that meet the minimum fineness requirements outlined above.

 

Examples of Unacceptable Precious Metal Products:
ž Any rare or collectible coin žFrench Franc
ž Austrian Corona and Ducat žGerman Mark
žBelgian Franc žHungarian Korona
žBritish Brittania (pre-2013) žItalian Lira
žBritish Sovereign žLBMA Germania Mint
žChilean Peso žMexican Peso and Onza
žColumbian Peso žSouth African Krugerrand
žDutch Guilder žSwiss Franc