Eagles vs. Buffalos for my Gold IRA - what are your

Robert Thompson

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Eagles vs. Buffalos for my Gold IRA - what are your

robert_thompson💰Established (100-250k)

about 2 months ago

Key Takeaways

•It’s given me a lot of peace of mind, especially as a retired teacher living on a fixed income.
•Currently, my IRA is mostly Eagles.
•I started with them because they were just what everyone recommended back then – recognizable, liquid, all that jazz.

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Okay, so I've been seeing a lot of chatter lately, both online and even overheard at a local coin shop here in Phoenix, about the American Gold Eagle versus the American Gold Buffalo for IRA investments. I've had a decent chunk of my retirement savings, probably around $150k-$175k of my total portfolio, in physical gold through a Gold IRA ever since the '08 crisis scared me straight from just stocks. It’s given me a lot of peace of mind, especially as a retired teacher living on a fixed income.

Currently, my IRA is mostly Eagles. I started with them because they were just what everyone recommended back then – recognizable, liquid, all that jazz. But now, with the Buffalos gaining more traction, I'm wondering if I should be thinking about diversifying my gold holdings within my IRA. Are the Buffalos really worth the slightly higher premium for the 24k purity? I'm not planning on selling any time soon, but I always want to be smart about my exit strategy down the line, especially for my kids.

I know some people swear by the 24k purity of the Buffalo for its "true" gold value, while others stick to the Eagles for their durability and fractional options. For an IRA specifically, does that 22k vs. 24k really make a noticeable difference in terms of long-term value or ease of selling when the time comes? I'm looking for practical advice here, not just numismatic arguments. Has anyone here switched from Eagles to Buffalos, or vice-versa, for their IRA? What was your reasoning?

I'm really curious to hear from others who have actual experience with this, particularly for an IRA. Is the market premium for Buffalos robust enough to justify the switch, or should I just stick with my tried-and-true Eagles? I’m leaning towards holding onto what I have, but a smart investor always keeps an open mind, right?

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4 comments

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Best Answer▲ 10 upvotes

karen_robinson💼Starter (0-50k)

Hey, I hear ya! I had pretty much the exact same dilemma a few years back when I rolled over an old 401k into a Gold IRA. Was stuck between the Eagles and the Buffalos for ages. Eventually, I went with a mix, leaning a bit more towards the Buffalos for their pure gold content. No complaints so far, but honestly, both are solid choices for an IRA.

Comments (4)

carol_carter💰Established (100-250k)Real Investor•about 2 months ago

Hey, interesting question! I've been pondering this myself. You mentioned a local coin shop in Phoenix. Did they have any particular insights or recommendations on the Eagles vs. Buffalos, or was it just general chatter there too?

karen_robinson💼Starter (0-50k)•about 2 months ago

steven_mitchell🏆Advanced (250-500k)Real Investor✓ Verified•about 2 months ago

Honestly, I'm a bit surprised by how much emphasis people put on the Gold Eagle vs. Buffalo debate for an IRA. While they both have their pros and cons (mostly aesthetic and a slight premium difference), for an IRA, aren't you essentially just buying gold bullion? The whole point is the gold content itself, not necessarily the specific coin design, especially if you're not planning on actively collecting or selling individual coins for their numismatic value. Seems like overthinking it a bit for a retirement investment.

paul_hill🏆Advanced (250-500k)Real Investor✓ Verified•about 2 months ago

Hey, that's a classic debate! Both are excellent choices for a Gold IRA. One thing to keep in mind, beyond just premiums, is whether you prioritize the fractional options of the Eagle (1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz) or if you're solely focused on 1 oz coins.

If you haven't seen it yet, Money Metals Exchange has a pretty good breakdown that covers some of the nuances between them, including legal tender status and purity. Might help solidify your decision!

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