Eagles or Buffalos for my IRA? Torn between the two!

Gary Stewart

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Eagles or Buffalos for my IRA? Torn between the two!

gary_stewart📊Growing (50-100k)

about 7 hours ago

Key Takeaways

•Okay, so I've been kicking around this question for a while and just curious what some of you seasoned investors think.
•I've got a decent chunk, about $75k, sitting in my Gold IRA right now, mostly in various gold coins, but I’m looking to add another $20k or so soon.
•I’m out here in Fresno, and as someone who makes their living in ag, I really believe in tangible assets, stuff you can hold.

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Okay, so I've been kicking around this question for a while and just curious what some of you seasoned investors think. I've got a decent chunk, about $75k, sitting in my Gold IRA right now, mostly in various gold coins, but I’m looking to add another $20k or so soon. I’m out here in Fresno, and as someone who makes their living in ag, I really believe in tangible assets, stuff you can hold. You know, less reliant on some banker in a suit telling me what's what.

My dilemma is between American Gold Eagles and Gold Buffalos for this next purchase. I always just kinda assumed Eagles were the way to go because they're so recognizable and have that government guarantee. But I’ve been reading up and seeing a lot of folks talking about Buffalos for their purity (99.99% pure vs. 91.67% for Eagles). Is that extra purity really worth it? Does it genuinely affect liquidity or premium much down the line? I'm thinking long-term here, obviously, this isn't some quick flip.

I'm 58 next year, so I'm also starting to think about those RMDs eventually. I actually just found this pretty neat RMD Calculator at Gold IRA Blueprint which helped me visualize some things, but it also made me think more about how I want these assets to be valued when the time comes to start taking distributions. Is one type of coin generally easier to value or liquidate for RMD purposes? Any firsthand experience with that? Would love to hear from folks who've had to navigate that part of the process.

What are your thoughts on premiums for each? I've noticed Eagles can sometimes have a slightly higher premium due to their broader recognition, but then again, some argue the Buffalo's purity justifies its premium. Am I overthinking this, or is there a real strategic advantage to picking one over the other for a Gold IRA? All input from fellow real asset believers appreciated!

4 comments

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Best Answer▲ 9 upvotes

william_davis💎Premium (500k-1m)

Hey, cool post! I'm curious, when you say "various gold coins," what kind of mix are we talking about now? Are they mostly Eagles or Buffalos already, or something else entirely?

Comments (4)

susan_clark💰Established (100-250k)Real Investor•less than a minute ago

Totally get this dilemma! I went through something super similar a few months back when adding to my IRA. Ended up grabbing a mix of both Eagles and Buffalos and honestly, I've been happy with that decision. It felt like a good way to diversify within the gold coin space without overthinking it too much. Good luck with whatever you decide!

william_davis💎Premium (500k-1m)Real Investor•less than a minute ago

Hey, cool post! I'm curious, when you say "various gold coins," what kind of mix are we talking about now? Are they mostly Eagles or Buffalos already, or something else entirely?

diane_bailey💰Established (100-250k)Real Investor•less than a minute ago

Honestly, why limit yourself to just those two? While Eagles and Buffalos are great, they're often what everyone goes for. You might be able to get more bang for your buck, and a bit more uniqueness, by looking into some less common but still IRA-eligible coins from other mints or different years. Diversifying your *types* of coins, not just your metal, could be a smart play.

ruth_perez📊Growing (50-100k)•less than a minute ago

Hey there! Great question, it's one a lot of folks ask when they're getting into gold for their IRA. Both are solid choices, but since you're in Fresno, you might want to look into local dealer inventory and pricing for both before making a final decision. Sometimes one will be slightly more available or have better premiums depending on your regional market.

Also, don't forget to check out Coinflation or similar sites to compare melt values to help gauge if you're getting a fair deal on premiums for either option. Good luck with your purchase!

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