Precious Metals in a Self-Directed IRA
A self-directed IRA (SDIRA) allows you to hold physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium inside a tax-advantaged retirement account. This page explains how SDIRAs work for precious metals, what metals the IRS allows, and what the buying process looks like.
This is an educational guide. For advice specific to your situation, work with your IRA custodian and a qualified financial or tax advisor.
What Is a Self-Directed IRA?
A self-directed IRA is an individual retirement account that follows the same contribution limits, tax rules, and distribution rules as a traditional or Roth IRA. The key difference is that a self-directed IRA allows you to hold assets beyond stocks, bonds, and mutual funds — including physical precious metals.
To hold precious metals in an SDIRA, you need a custodian that specifically administers self-directed accounts. Most traditional brokerage IRA custodians do not offer this. You also need an IRS-approved depository to store the metals — you cannot take personal possession of IRA metals while they are inside the account.
The metals must meet IRS purity requirements. Not every gold or silver coin qualifies. The list of approved coins and bars is specific, and buying the wrong product for an IRA can create tax and compliance problems.
IRS Purity Requirements by Metal
The IRS requires specific minimum purity levels for each precious metal held in a self-directed IRA. Coins and bars that do not meet these standards are not eligible — purchasing non-eligible metals for an IRA is treated as a distribution.
Gold
Required purity: .995 fine or higher (American Gold Eagle: .9167 — IRS exception)
Examples: American Gold Eagle, Gold Buffalo, Canadian Maple Leaf, gold bars from approved refiners
Silver
Required purity: .999 fine or higher
Examples: American Silver Eagle, Canadian Silver Maple Leaf, silver bars from approved refiners
Platinum
Required purity: .9995 fine or higher
Examples: American Platinum Eagle, Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf, platinum bars from approved refiners
Palladium
Required purity: .9995 fine or higher
Examples: Canadian Palladium Maple Leaf, palladium bars from approved refiners
This list is not exhaustive. Confirm with your custodian before purchasing any coin or bar for an SDIRA.
How the SDIRA Process Works
Open or Roll Over
Open a new self-directed IRA with a custodian that handles precious metals, or roll over an existing IRA or 401(k). Your custodian manages the account structure.
Fund the Account
Fund through contributions, a rollover, or a transfer from an existing retirement account. Follow your custodian's process to avoid triggering a taxable distribution.
Purchase Approved Metals
Direct your custodian to purchase IRA-eligible metals from an approved dealer. The custodian coordinates the purchase — the metals go directly to the depository, not to you.
Storage at an Approved Depository
Your metals are held at an IRS-approved depository. You own them inside the account but cannot take physical possession while they remain IRA assets.
Common SDIRA Mistakes to Avoid
Our Role in the SDIRA Process
Gold Silver Crypto is a precious metals dealer in Highland, Utah. We sell IRA-eligible gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products that meet IRS purity requirements. We can explain which specific coins and bars qualify and how they compare on price and resale.
We are not an IRA custodian, and we do not provide tax or financial advice. The account setup, rollover coordination, custodian selection, and depository arrangement are handled by your IRA custodian — not by us.
If you already have an SDIRA set up and your custodian needs to purchase metals from us, call or text to ask about current inventory and IRA-eligible products.
Frequently Asked Questions
A self-directed IRA is a type of individual retirement account that allows you to hold alternative assets — including physical precious metals — alongside or instead of stocks and bonds. It follows the same tax rules as a traditional or Roth IRA but gives you more control over what the account holds.
The IRS allows gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in a self-directed IRA, subject to purity requirements. Gold must be .995 fine or higher (with an exception for American Gold Eagles). Silver must be .999 fine or higher. Platinum and palladium must be .9995 fine or higher.
IRA-eligible gold coins include: American Gold Eagles (all sizes), American Gold Buffalos, Canadian Gold Maple Leafs, Australian Gold Kangaroos, Austrian Gold Philharmonics, and gold bars meeting .9950 fine or higher from approved refiners. American Gold Eagles are the only exception to the .9950 fine rule — they are .9167 fine but specifically approved by the IRS.
IRA-eligible silver coins include: American Silver Eagles, Canadian Silver Maple Leafs, Australian Silver Kookaburras, Austrian Silver Philharmonics, and silver bars meeting .999 fine or higher from approved refiners.
No. IRS rules require that precious metals in a self-directed IRA be held in an IRS-approved depository, not at home or in a personal safe. Taking personal possession of IRA metals before the legal distribution age is treated as a distribution and may result in taxes and penalties.
An IRA custodian is a financial institution — typically a trust company or bank — authorized to hold assets in an IRA. For a precious metals SDIRA, you need a custodian that specifically handles self-directed accounts and can facilitate the purchase and storage of physical metals.
Yes. You can roll over funds from a 401(k), 403(b), TSP, or existing IRA into a self-directed IRA that holds precious metals. The rollover must be structured correctly to avoid triggering a taxable distribution. Work with your custodian to ensure the rollover follows IRS rules.
Yes. We carry American Gold Eagles, Gold Buffalos, American Silver Eagles, and other IRA-eligible coins and bars. However, purchasing metals for an SDIRA requires coordination with your custodian and depository — you do not take physical possession directly. Talk to your IRA custodian about the purchase process before coming in.
Questions About IRA-Eligible Metals?
Call or text Gold Silver Crypto in Highland, Utah. We can explain which products qualify, current pricing, and how to coordinate with your custodian.
9778 Oakbrook Dr Suite 3, Highland, Utah 84003
About This Guide
Editorial note: IRS rules for self-directed IRAs can change. This page is an educational overview, not tax or financial advice. Confirm current IRS rules and eligibility requirements with your IRA custodian or a qualified tax advisor before making purchases.
Last updated: June 2026