Is NGC/PCGS grading *really* that vital for Gold IRA coins? Looking for opinions.

Helen Turner

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Is NGC/PCGS grading really that vital for Gold IRA coins? Looking for opinions.

helen_turner💰Established (100-250k)

12 days ago

Key Takeaways

•Been thinking a lot about this lately as I’m looking to rebalance some of my holdings in my Gold IRA.
•I’ve currently got about $180k invested in precious metals, mostly gold, spread across a few different types of coins.
•Said it was critical for liquidity and future value, especially for an IRA where you can’t just hold any old coin.

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Been thinking a lot about this lately as I’m looking to rebalance some of my holdings in my Gold IRA. I’ve currently got about $180k invested in precious metals, mostly gold, spread across a few different types of coins. When I first started setting this up a few years back, my metals dealer really pushed the graded stuff – mostly MS69/70 Eagles and Maples, some graded Junk Silver, etc. Said it was critical for liquidity and future value, especially for an IRA where you can’t just hold any old coin.

My question for y’all is, how much of that is just sales talk versus genuine practical advice? I understand the whole numismatic value argument for rare coins, but these are pretty standard bullion coins we’re talking about. Are those two little letters (MS) and a number really adding that much tangible value, or is it more peace of mind? For example, say I wanted to sell some of my Gold Eagles in 10-15 years to fund a new barn or something for the farm here in Louisville. Is an MS70 Gold Eagle going to fetch a significantly higher premium over an ungraded, but still pristine, 2024 Gold Eagle?

Seems like the premium you pay upfront for the grading, plus the storage fees sometimes associated with graded coins, eats into the potential upside. I’m practical about my wealth; I want my money to work for me, not just look pretty in a plastic slab. I’m thinking about adding another $50k or so to my holdings this year, and I'm weighing whether to stick with graded bullion or just go for ungraded, reputable coins from a trusted dealer. Would love to hear from anyone who's had experience selling graded vs. ungraded bullion, especially in the context of an IRA. Did the grading make a difference in your exit price?

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3 comments

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Best Answer▲ 8 upvotes

jennifer_martinez💰Established (100-250k)

Honestly, while grading definitely adds a layer of confidence and can help with resale if you're ever looking to liquidate outside of a buyback program, I think "vital" might be a strong word for IRA holdings. For most Gold IRA investors, the primary driver is the intrinsic value of the metal itself, not the numismatic premium. The IRA custodian and dealer are generally more concerned with the coin meeting the fineness requirements set by the IRS. If the coins are clearly identifiable as common bullion coins (e.g., Eagles, Maples), the grading might be more for your peace of mind than a strict necessity for the IRA itself to accept them. Just a thought!

Comments (3)

charles_lewis💎Premium (500k-1m)Real Investor•12 days ago

I hear you on this! Had a similar situation where my dealer was pushing hard for me to get everything graded for my Gold IRA. I ended up getting a good portion of it done, mostly just because I was new to it and didn't know enough to push back.

Now, looking back, for some of the more common bullion coins, I really wonder if it was worth the extra cost. I mean, a certified American Gold Eagle is still an AGE. For collector coins, absolutely, but for pure IRA holdings, it feels like an unnecessary premium sometimes. Curious to see what others say.

diane_bailey💰Established (100-250k)Real Investor•12 days ago

Interesting post! You mentioned your metals dealer "really" pushed certain coins. Any chance you could elaborate on what types of coins they were pushing and what their reasoning was for recommending them specifically for a Gold IRA?