Silver Eagles vs. Generic Rounds for IRA - What have you done?

Ronald Morris

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Silver Eagles vs. Generic Rounds for IRA - What have you done?

ronald_morris👑Elite (1m-5m)

about 2 months ago

Key Takeaways

•Been wrestling with this for a bit now, maybe someone here has some direct experience.
•I'm looking to diversify a portion of my IRA into physical silver, specifically considering American Silver Eagles vs.
•generic silver rounds.

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Been wrestling with this for a bit now, maybe someone here has some direct experience. I'm looking to diversify a portion of my IRA into physical silver, specifically considering American Silver Eagles vs. generic silver rounds. My initial thought was to go with the Eagles for their recognized government backing and perceived liquidity, especially within an IRA custodian setup. However, the premium on them right now is just absolutely brutal. It's tough to swallow paying an extra 30-40% over spot when the goal is pure precious metal exposure.

On the flip side, generic rounds offer a much lower premium, getting me more ounces for my dollar. My concern there is twofold: first, potential issues with some IRA custodians accepting generic rounds or needing specific assay information, and second, the potential for lower liquidity or a wider spread when it comes time to sell. I’ve heard varying reports on how strict custodians are. Has anyone here actually funded their Gold IRA with generic silver rounds and had a smooth process? What was your experience like with selling them off later?

I'm looking at allocating around $150k to $200k into silver within my overall retirement portfolio, which is otherwise pretty diversified between equities and some real estate. My original plan, after retiring from the Navy a few years back and setting up my current investment strategy, was a slow and steady accumulation. But these premiums have me questioning the 'how.' My financial advisor here in Virginia Beach is great with broad strokes, but this specific nuance of physical silver in an IRA is something I like to vet with folks who've been in the trenches. I’ve used the Retirement Planner tool to model out some different capital allocation scenarios, which has been helpful for the big picture, but it doesn't give me the real-world custodian interaction on generics.

Is the peace of mind and potential ease of sale with Eagles worth the significant premium erosion of my capital? Or am I overthinking the generic round scenario? Would appreciate any insights or personal anecdotes on this, especially from those who have actually executed such a plan within their IRA. Thanks in advance for any input.

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10 comments

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Best Answer▲ 18 upvotes

kenneth_parker💎Premium (500k-1m)

Interesting take. I've heard the opposite from a few people though — would love to see some actual numbers on this.

Comments (10)

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

I went with the Eagles myself, though it was a tough call. My thought process was that if I ever needed to liquidate them for some reason down the line, the government backing and wider recognition might make it a smoother process.

My buddy, on the other hand, went with a mix of generic rounds and a few foreign coins like some Canadian Maples to spread it out. He figured the lower premium on generics outweighed the "collectibility" factor of the Eagles for a pure investment play. Both seem like solid strategies honestly, just depends on your comfort level!

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

This is a good question. I've been thinking about this for my own IRA too. When you say "generic rounds," are you talking about specific mints or just any old round that meets the purity requirements? Like, is there a particular brand you've seen good pricing on?

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

I hear you on the appeal of Eagles, especially for their government backing and recognition. But for an IRA, where you're not physically holding them and the goal is pure metal exposure, I've always leaned towards generic rounds or even bars for the silver component. The premium on Eagles can really add up, and if the main objective is hedging against inflation or economic uncertainty, those extra bucks per ounce could buy you more actual silver with generics. Just something to consider if pure weight is your priority.

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

Hey, cool thread! It's a classic debate for sure. Both Eagles and generics have their place.

One thing to consider that often gets overlooked is the "financially suitable" aspect for your IRA custodian if you're holding physical. Some custodians are stricter than others about what they'll approve, especially for non-standard items like generic rounds. It's always a good idea to double-check with your specific IRA custodian about their accepted precious metals list before you buy, just to avoid any headaches later on.

laura_sanchez💰Established (100-250k)Real Investor✓ Verified•25 days ago

Ngl I came here expecting the usual affiliate spam but the discussions are actually decent. Way better info than what I was getting from my old advisor.

margaret_chen🏆Advanced (250-500k)Real Investor•25 days ago

My advisor told me 10-15% in gold is the sweet spot but I went heavier. We'll see how it plays out.

janet_cook📊Growing (50-100k)•25 days ago

Ngl I came here expecting the usual affiliate spam but the discussions are actually decent. Way better info than what I was getting from my old advisor.