Eagles vs. Buffalos - what's everyone's take for a gold IRA?

Mark Adams

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Eagles vs. Buffalos - what's everyone's take for a gold IRA?

mark_adams👑Elite (1m-5m)

about 5 hours ago

Key Takeaways

•Okay, so I've been wrestling with this a bit and wanted to get some diverse opinions for my IRA gold allocation.
•On one hand, the Eagles are a classic.
•The 22k purity doesn't bother me—it's still a full ounce of gold, and the copper/silver alloy makes them damn durable.

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Okay, so I've been wrestling with this a bit and wanted to get some diverse opinions for my IRA gold allocation. I'm sitting on about 2,000 ounces of physical gold outside of the IRA, mostly older European mints and some pre-33 stuff I inherited, but for the Roth and SEP I'm setting up, I'm sticking to the IRS-approved bullion. Naturally, the American Gold Eagle and the American Gold Buffalo are at the top of the list for their purity and recognition, but I'm torn on which one to lean into more heavily.

On one hand, the Eagles are a classic. The 22k purity doesn't bother me—it's still a full ounce of gold, and the copper/silver alloy makes them damn durable. Crucial for something that might be moving around or handled occasionally, even in a secure vault. Plus, the slightly lower price point per ounce over the Buffalos is appealing when you're buying in any kind of volume. I'm looking at deploying about $750k into these accounts this quarter, so even a small difference adds up.

Then there's the Buffalo. That 24k purity is seductive, I have to admit. It feels... purer, somehow. More truly "gold." For an item whose primary purpose is to be a store of wealth, the 99.99% pure aspect just screams intrinsic value. The design is beautiful too, that classic Native American chief and the buffalo on the reverse. My only hesitation is the slightly higher premium and the fact they're softer. While they'll be sitting in a vault, part of me wonders about potential scratching or damage if I ever needed to take physical possession.

Am I overthinking this? Is the 24k purity of the Buffalo worth the extra premium and the softness, or is the ruggedness and slightly lower cost of the Eagle the smarter play for a long-term IRA hold? I'm curious what other folks on here have opted for, especially those with similar portfolio sizes. What made you choose one over the other for your retirement accounts?

3 comments

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Best Answer▲ 8 upvotes

janet_cook📊Growing (50-100k)

Hey, that's a nice chunk of physical gold you're sitting on outside the IRA! Regarding the Roth and SEP, you mentioned you're "sticking" with something. Are you leaning towards Eagles, Buffalos, or something else entirely for those accounts?

Comments (3)

donna_rogers🏆Advanced (250-500k)Real Investor•less than a minute ago

Oh man, Eagles vs. Buffalos is the classic debate! I went through this exact same thing for my ROTH. Ended up going with Buffalos for the aesthetic and the slightly lower premium when I bought, but honestly, you can't go wrong with either. Both are solid choices for an IRA.

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

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

Honestly, while the "Eagles vs. Buffalos" debate is a classic, for an IRA, I think you're overthinking it a bit. The *type* of eligible coin matters less than the metal itself, especially when you're talking about a tax-advantaged account like an IRA. The spread on either is pretty similar when you buy and sell from most reputable dealers. Unless you're planning on pulling them out and fondling them frequently (which defeats the purpose of an IRA holding!), the intrinsic value of the gold is the primary driver. Focus more on the dealer's reputation and their fees.

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