Numismatic vs. Bullion for Gold IRA - What's the play?

Paul Hill

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Numismatic vs. Bullion for Gold IRA - What's the play?

paul_hill🏆Advanced (250-500k)

less than a minute ago

Key Takeaways

•Most of my holdings are in bullion coins, specifically American Gold Eagles and Canadian Gold Maples.
•He argues that the premiums are lower, and liquidity is generally better for bullion.
•However, I've been doing some casual digging into numismatic coins again recently, specifically those graded as MS69 or MS70.

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Alright, so I’ve been heavily invested in a Gold IRA for a few years now, sitting on about $350k currently, and it's been a game-changer for my overall portfolio stability. Most of my holdings are in bullion coins, specifically American Gold Eagles and Canadian Gold Maples. My financial advisor, who specializes in precious metals IRAs and is based right here in SLC, has always steered me towards bullion for the simplicity and direct tie to the spot price. He argues that the premiums are lower, and liquidity is generally better for bullion.

However, I've been doing some casual digging into numismatic coins again recently, specifically those graded as MS69 or MS70. I know the general consensus for IRAs is to stick with bullion to avoid premium markups and potential issues with "collectible" status. But part of me is wondering if I'm missing out on a potential upside by completely ignoring numismatics. I've read some arguments that truly rare, high-grade coins can appreciate independently of the gold spot price, almost like an asset class of their own. Is anyone here actually holding numismatic coins in their Gold IRA? What are your experiences?

My main concern is clarity and compliance. I don’t want to inadvertently hold something that doesn’t meet IRS guidelines for an IRA. I initially used the Eligibility Checker when I first set up my Gold IRA to make sure I wasn't making any rookie mistakes then, and it was super helpful for figuring out what counted as eligible. But that checker mostly focuses on purity and mints. With numismatics, there’s this whole other layer of grading and historical value. Is the premium worth it? Are they really that much harder to sell when the time comes?

I'm torn. On one hand, I trust my advisor's conservative approach, maximizing my gold exposure per dollar. On the other, the idea of a coin appreciating both as a commodity and as a rare collectible is intriguing. Any thoughts or personal anecdotes on this? Anyone regretted going one way or the other? Appreciate any insights, especially from those who've been around the block a few times with their precious metal IRAs.

4 comments

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Best Answer▲ 10 upvotes

laura_sanchez💰Established (100-250k)

Interesting strategy sticking mostly to bullion. While the lower premiums are definitely attractive, I've always leaned a bit more towards numismatics for a portion of my IRA. Not as much as a full collection of rare coins, but certified, higher-grade semi-numismatic pieces. Hear me out: you get the gold weight, sure, but there's also that potential for added collector value that bullion just doesn't offer. It's a bit more specialized, but with the right guidance, it could offer a nice upside beyond just the spot price. Just something to consider for diversification within your gold holdings.

Comments (4)

brian_edwards🌟Ultra (5m+)Real Investor✓ Verified•less than a minute ago

Hey, I've had a similar experience with my Gold IRA. My advisor also pushed for bullion, mostly Eagles and Buffaloes. Honestly, for me, the simplicity and liquidity of bullion were big selling points. I totally get the appeal of numismatics for some, but I just wanted straightforward gold exposure without the extra premium or authentication hassle.

My portfolio is a bit smaller than yours, but the stability aspect is definitely real. It's nice having that bedrock in the middle of market choppiness.

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

Interesting! You mentioned your holdings are mostly in American Gold Eagles and Canadian Gold Maples. Are those *proof* coins or just the regular bullion versions? I've been wondering if there's any distinction gold IRA custodians make between them, beyond the obvious premium difference.

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

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

Hey, cool to hear your Gold IRA is doing well! For numismatic vs. bullion, one thing often overlooked is the potential for *premium compression* on numismatic coins, especially those with high markups initially. While bullion premiums fluctuate, numismatic ones can really get squeezed if the market for collector coins cools.

You might find this piece on understanding gold coin premiums helpful: https://www.gold.org/goldhub/research/gold-investor/gold-investor-january-2023/understanding-gold-coin-premiums. It's a good breakdown of what drives those extra costs beyond just the melt value. Good luck!

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