Eagles vs. Buffalos - What's everyone's take for IRA?

Sandra Green

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Eagles vs. Buffalos - What's everyone's take for IRA?

sandra_green📊Growing (50-100k)

about 2 months ago

Key Takeaways

•Okay, so I've been wrestling with this a bit for my Gold IRA and could use some collective wisdom.
•I know Kansas City isn't exactly the global hub for gold buying, but my local dealer, bless his heart, is pushing American Eagles pretty hard.
•I've got around $75k in my IRA right now, and I'm looking to add another $10-$15k worth of gold this quarter.

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Okay, so I've been wrestling with this a bit for my Gold IRA and could use some collective wisdom. I know Kansas City isn't exactly the global hub for gold buying, but my local dealer, bless his heart, is pushing American Eagles pretty hard. I've got around $75k in my IRA right now, and I'm looking to add another $10-$15k worth of gold this quarter. I've always been drawn to the Eagles, probably because they just feel so American, you know? Plus, the purity debate always made me lean towards them for potential resale ease, even if it's just in my head.

My husband's got his eye on some new tractor equipment, so I'm trying to be smart with every dollar. I'm a farmer's wife, so tangible assets just make sense to me – always have. I prefer something I can see and hold (even if it's in a vault), unlike all those fluctuating numbers on a screen. With the way things are going, I truly believe gold is going to keep its value, especially compared to what some of those stock charts look like. I was just over on this "Gold vs Stocks Comparison" tool and looking at the 10-year chart... it's pretty eye-opening when you see how gold has held its own.

But then I keep hearing about Buffalos. People say they're preferred for IRAs because of their 24k purity. Is that really that big of a deal? My dealer says the difference in buying power isn't significant enough to worry about the 22k vs 24k, especially for long-term hold in an IRA. He also mentioned that the premium on Eagles is often a little less, but then again, that might just be his current stock. I'm just trying to make the most informed decision here before I pull the trigger on this next chunk of my retirement.

For those of you with significant gold in your IRAs, especially if you're looking at similar portfolio sizes (mine's about $75k-$100k), what did you ultimately go with? American Eagles or Buffalos? And more importantly, why? Any regrets with your choice? I'm trying to decide if my emotional attachment to Eagles is clouding a better logical decision.

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4 comments

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Best Answer▲ 9 upvotes

david_brown💎Premium (500k-1m)

Interesting! Your local dealer pushing Eagles so hard makes me wonder if he's getting a better margin on them, or if there's an actual benefit you haven't mentioned for someone with $75k in their IRA. Did he give any specific reasons beyond just "American-made"?

Comments (4)

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

Dude, I was in a similar boat a few months back! My guy was all about the Eagles too, kept talking about their liquidity and recognition. I ended up getting a mix though – some Eagles, but also a good chunk of Buffalos. The premium on the Buffalos was a little higher, but I just really prefer the design, and honestly, for long-term holding in an IRA, the small difference in premium didn't seem like a deal-breaker for me. You do you, but don't feel pressured to only go with one if you prefer the other!

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

andrew_roberts👑Elite (1m-5m)Real Investor✓ Verified•about 2 months ago

Interesting debate! While Eagles are definitely the go-to for many, don't completely discount Buffalos. Sometimes those premiums are worth it for the purer gold and simpler design. Plus, if you're ever in a situation where you need to sell outside the typical dealer network, a 24k coin might have slightly broader appeal. Just something to chew on beyond the usual "Eagles are king" mantra.

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

Hey, that's a classic choice dilemma! Eagles are definitely popular, but don't feel pressured if you're not vibing with them. One thing to consider is the premium. Sometimes Buffalos (or even certain foreign coins like Canadian Maples or Austrian Philharmonics) can have slightly lower premiums over spot, which means more gold for your buck. For an IRA, the IRS just cares that the fineness is 0.995 or higher for gold coins/bars, so you have options beyond Eagles. Check out a site like Kitco or APMEX to compare current premiums across different eligible coins – could save you a bit! Good luck!

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