Eagles vs. Buffalos for my Gold IRA - what's the play?

Janet Cook

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Eagles vs. Buffalos for my Gold IRA - what's the play?

janet_cook📊Growing (50-100k)

about 2 months ago

Key Takeaways

•I feel like this debate is as old as time for anyone seriously investing in physical gold, especially within an IRA.
•I've been running my jewelry store here in Providence for nearly 20 years, so I'm no stranger to gold, silver, platinum, you name it.
•I got about $75k in my Gold IRA right now, mostly from rolling over an old 401k a couple years back, and I'm looking to add another $10k-$15k soon.

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I feel like this debate is as old as time for anyone seriously investing in physical gold, especially within an IRA. I've been running my jewelry store here in Providence for nearly 20 years, so I'm no stranger to gold, silver, platinum, you name it. I got about $75k in my Gold IRA right now, mostly from rolling over an old 401k a couple years back, and I'm looking to add another $10k-$15k soon.

My current holdings are a pretty mixed bag, but I've been eyeing some more American Gold Eagles and American Gold Buffalos. From a pure metal standpoint, obviously, a Troy Ounce is a Troy Ounce. But when you factor in the premium, liquidity if I ever decide to take a distribution, and general recognition, it gets a bit muddy. I lean towards Eagles because of the 22k durability and the fractional options if I ever need to liquidate smaller amounts without breaking a full ounce. Plus, being a GIA gemologist and knowing numismatics (even if these aren't rare coins), there's something satisfying about the intricate design.

However, the 24k pure gold in Buffalos is undeniably attractive. For someone like me who really understands market value based on melt price, the idea of owning pure gold with minimal alloy is appealing in a different way. The premium usually feels a touch higher on Buffalos, but not astronomically so these days. Is that extra purity really worth it in the long run for an investment vehicle like an IRA? Does it truly translate to better resale or demand for IRA-eligible bullion?

So, for those of you with significant gold holdings in your IRAs – what's your preference and why? Are you strictly 24k with Buffalos, or do you prefer the 22k Eagles? Any strong feelings on premium differences when buying, or ease of selling later on? I'm curious about the real-world experiences beyond just the spec sheets.

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5 comments

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Best Answer▲ 9 upvotes

catherine_bell🏆Advanced (250-500k)

Hey, cool post! With your background in jewelry, I'm curious if you've noticed any significant differences in the resale market between Eagles and Buffalos for non-IRA gold sales? Like, outside of the IRA world, do buyers generally prefer one over the other in your experience?

Comments (5)

ruth_perez📊Growing (50-100k)•about 2 months ago

Dude, I hear you on this. Exact same dilemma for me when I was setting up my Gold IRA a couple years back. I ended up going with a mix, mostly Eagles, but threw in a few Buffalos just for some variety. No regrets so far, honestly. Both are solid choices.

catherine_bell🏆Advanced (250-500k)Real Investor•about 2 months ago

Hey, cool post! With your background in jewelry, I'm curious if you've noticed any significant differences in the resale market between Eagles and Buffalos for *non-IRA* gold sales? Like, outside of the IRA world, do buyers generally prefer one over the other in your experience?

linda_taylor📊Growing (50-100k)✓ Verified•about 2 months ago

While the Eagles vs. Buffalos debate is definitely a classic for collectors, for an IRA, I'm not sure it truly matters *that* much. Unless you're planning on taking an in-kind distribution and trying to sell a specific coin to a discerning numismatist, isn't the primary goal simply holding the gold itself? The small premium difference between the two might be less important than other factors like the dealer's reputation or storage fees. Just my two cents!

robert_thompson💰Established (100-250k)Real Investor✓ Verified•about 2 months ago

Hey, cool to see a fellow Rhode Islander here! While Eagles and Buffalos are both solid choices for your IRA, don't forget about Canadian Gold Maple Leaf coins. They're another popular option known for their high purity (often .9999 fine) and are also IRA-eligible. Just another thing to consider when you're weighing your options!

frank_rivera💎Premium (500k-1m)Real Investor•about 2 months ago

Totally agree that the Eagle vs. Buffalo debate is ancient history for anyone looking at physical gold. I ran into the same thing when I was setting up my Gold IRA a few years back. Ended up going with a mix of both just for some variety, but honestly, the premiums were pretty similar for the common sizes of each. Definitely more about personal preference once you get past the initial cost.

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