Physical Gold vs. Paper Gold in my IRA - What are your

• •With inflation still being a concern and the general global uncertainty, I’m wondering if I’m optimizing my gold exposure.
• •My Gold IRA currently has a mix, but a larger portion is in physical bullion (mostly Eagles and some Maples).
• •I like the idea of holding something tangible, the real, undeniable asset.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the different ways to hold gold in my IRA, specifically the pros and cons of physical gold versus "paper" gold like ETFs or mining stocks. As a doctor in Boston, my portfolio is fairly diversified, but I’ve always had a solid chunk, probably around 10-15%, allocated to precious metals as a hedge. With inflation still being a concern and the general global uncertainty, I’m wondering if I’m optimizing my gold exposure.

My Gold IRA currently has a mix, but a larger portion is in physical bullion (mostly Eagles and some Maples). I like the idea of holding something tangible, the real, undeniable asset. There's a certain peace of mind knowing it's not subject to counterparty risk in the same way a stock or ETF might be. However, there are obvious downsides – storage fees, insurance costs, and the hassle of going through a custodian for anything. I’ve probably spent a few thousand dollars just on storage and insurance over the past few years, which, while not a deal-breaker for my ~$75k gold allocation, still eats into returns.

Then there's the "paper gold" option. I've dabbled in GLD and some of the larger mining companies in my regular brokerage account, and the liquidity is undeniable. You can buy and sell instantly, no storage fees, and it’s super easy to manage. But it feels… less real, somehow. I get that GLD should be backed by physical gold, but it's not the same as having coins with my name on them (figuratively speaking, of course, through the custodian). And mining stocks, while offering leverage to gold prices, also come with their own set of operational risks that are completely separate from the price of gold itself. For those of you with significant gold holdings, especially in a Gold IRA, how do you balance these two approaches? Are there specific percentages you stick to? Any horror stories or fantastic successes with either?

I’m particularly interested in hearing from anyone who’s made a significant shift from one to the other within their IRA, and what prompted that decision. My portfolio is in the $500k-$1M range, so these decisions can have a real impact. Thanks for any insights!