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The IRS Rule in Plain English
Under IRC Section 408(m), gold held in an IRA must meet minimum fineness requirements and be held by an approved custodian — not at home and not in a safe deposit box you control.
- Minimum .995 fineness (bars)
- Minimum .9999 fineness (most coins)
- Produced by a national gov’t mint or NYMEX/COMEX-approved refiner
- Stored at an IRS-approved depository
- Held through a qualifying custodian
- Numismatic or collectible coins
- Proof coins (in most cases)
- Gold jewelry or scrap
- Gold ETFs or certificates
- Stored at home (“home storage IRA” is not legal)
- American Gold Eagles are only .9167 fine (22 karat)
- Congress specifically exempted them in 1997
- They are IRA-eligible despite the lower fineness
- No other coin below .9999 gets this treatment
IRS-Approved Gold Coins — Full List
Every coin below is IRA-eligible as of 2026. Premiums vary — the right-hand column shows what to expect over spot.
| Coin | Country | Fineness | Typical IRA Premium | Low-Premium Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Gold Eagle | USA | .9167 | 4–7% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| American Gold Buffalo | USA | .9999 | 4–8% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Canadian Gold Maple Leaf | Canada | .9999 | 3–5% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Australian Gold Kangaroo | Australia | .9999 | 3–5% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Austrian Gold Philharmonic | Austria | .9999 | 3–5% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| British Gold Britannia | UK | .9999 | 4–6% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| South African Krugerrand | South Africa | .9167 | — | ❌ Not Eligible |
⚠️ The Krugerrand has one of the world’s lowest premiums globally, but it is NOT IRA-eligible under U.S. law. Dealers who suggest otherwise are wrong.
IRA-Approved Gold Bars
Bars must be at least .995 fine and produced by a manufacturer accredited by a national government mint or a NYMEX/COMEX-approved assay firm. Bars consistently carry lower premiums than coins — typically 1–3% over spot.
What Unscrupulous Dealers Do
Some dealers push proof coins and numismatic gold into IRAs by describing them as “IRA approved” — which is technically true, since proof versions of American Eagles are eligible. What they don’t tell you is that proof coins carry markups of 20–100% over spot, and they resell at a significant discount to their purchase price. You get far fewer ounces for the same dollar.
- If a dealer is pushing proof coins — ask why. Bullion coins are always lower cost.
- If the price quoted is 15%+ over spot — walk away.
- “Collector’s edition,” “limited mint,” and “rare” are not IRA investment terms.
- A custodian will hold whatever a dealer sends them — they don’t protect you from overpaying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum purity for IRA gold?
Gold bars must be at least .995 fine (99.5% pure). Gold coins must generally be .9999 fine (24 karat), with one exception: the American Gold Eagle is legally exempt and is IRA-eligible at .9167 fine (22 karat) because Congress specified it in the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997.
Is the South African Krugerrand IRA-eligible?
No. Despite being one of the most widely traded gold coins in the world and carrying very low premiums globally, the Krugerrand is NOT permitted in a U.S. IRA. It does not appear on the IRS’s approved coin list. Stick with Eagles, Maple Leafs, or Kangaroos if you want low premiums with IRA eligibility.
Can I store IRA gold at home?
No. “Home storage IRAs” are not legal under IRS rules. Gold held in an IRA must be stored at an approved depository — such as Brinks, Delaware Depository, or International Depository Services. Any gold you take personal possession of is considered a distribution and becomes immediately taxable.
Are proof coins IRA-eligible?
Proof versions of American Gold Eagles and some other government-minted coins technically meet IRS eligibility requirements. However, proof coins carry premiums of 20–100% over spot and historically lose that premium at resale. For a retirement account focused on wealth preservation, bullion coins are almost always the better choice — you get more ounces of gold for the same investment.
Does fineness affect the value of gold at resale?
Gold is priced by the weight of its pure gold content, not its total weight. A 1 oz Gold Eagle (.9167 fine) contains 1 troy ounce of gold — its total weight is slightly higher to account for the silver and copper alloy. At resale, the market pays based on the gold content, so fineness above the IRS minimum doesn’t meaningfully affect value. The premium paid at purchase matters far more to your long-term return.
Top Low-Premium Gold IRA Companies — 2026
Reviewed and ranked for transparent pricing, low dealer premiums, and investor-friendly terms.
- Lowest minimum in our top picks at $10,000
- Standard IRA-eligible bullion — no proof coin upsells
- Brinks segregated storage available
- Transparent fee structure — no hidden markups
- Highly rated rollover process — 401k, 403b, TSP eligible
- Domestic Texas storage option for US-based security
- A+ BBB — long track record of customer satisfaction
- Strong educational resources for first-time buyers
- Largest selection of IRA-approved gold & silver products
- Coins, bars, and rounds from major world mints
- Good fit for investors who want product flexibility
- BBB A rated with solid customer reviews
Ready to Open an IRA With Eligible Gold?
Now that you know what qualifies, the next step is finding a dealer who sells IRA-approved bullion at fair premiums — not proof coins with hidden markups. Compare our top-rated companies below.
Compare Low-Markup Gold IRA Companies →
