Platinum for numismatics vs. bullion in an IRA - what's the play?

Donna Rogers

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Platinum for numismatics vs. bullion in an IRA - what's the play?

donna_rogers🏆Advanced (250-500k)

about 2 hours ago

Key Takeaways

•Been doing a deep dive into the platinum space for my IRA and am trying to figure out the best approach.
•I've got a decent chunk, about $400k in my self-directed IRA right now, and I'm looking to add about 10-15% of that into platinum.
•My main question revolves around numismatic platinum coins versus regular platinum bullion.

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Been doing a deep dive into the platinum space for my IRA and am trying to figure out the best approach. I've got a decent chunk, about $400k in my self-directed IRA right now, and I'm looking to add about 10-15% of that into platinum. I've been a gold bug for a while, mostly holding bullion, but platinum's unique industrial demand, especially with the push for hydrogen fuel cells and EVs, has me really interested. It feels like a solid long-term play, especially coming from a legacy industry like bourbon where you appreciate something tangible with intrinsic value.

My main question revolves around numismatic platinum coins versus regular platinum bullion. With gold, I've stuck to bullion because the premiums are lower and the liquidity feels straightforward. But I'm hearing some compelling arguments for numismatic platinum, particularly for its potential to appreciate beyond the spot price. Are there any folks here who've gone the numismatic route with platinum in their IRA, and how has that worked out? I'm based in Lexington, KY, so access to reputable dealers isn't an issue, but I'm more concerned about the long-term growth and compliance with IRS regulations around "collectibles."

I get that the IRS doesn't allow "collectibles" in an IRA unless they meet specific fineness requirements. I'm talking about certified, graded coins here, not just some random old coin. Is the potential upside of numismatic platinum worth the higher premiums and the potentially narrower market when it comes time to sell? Or am I better off just sticking with American Platinum Eagles or Canadian Platinum Maple Leafs and riding the spot price? Any experiences or advice from those who've navigated this specific decision would be super helpful. Trying to ensure I'm making the smartest move for my retirement nest egg.

5 comments

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Best Answer▲ 8 upvotes

timothy_reed💎Premium (500k-1m)

Interesting thought process here, but I'm not sure I'd ever suggest numismatic platinum for an IRA. The whole point of an IRA, especially one with precious metals, is typically long-term, stable value preservation and growth. The premiums on numismatics, especially for something like platinum which already has a lower trading volume than gold, can be brutal. You're essentially betting on two things: the platinum price and the collectible market for that specific coin. That's a lot of extra risk for a retirement account, IMO.

If you're dead set on platinum, bullion makes more sense. It's about the metal, not the rarity. But even then, for a 'gold bug' like yourself, why shift to platinum for such a significant portion if you're looking for that traditional safe-haven role? Just something to consider.

Comments (5)

sandra_green📊Growing (50-100k)✓ Verified•less than a minute ago

Dude, I was in a similar boat not too long ago. Had a good chunk of my IRA in gold bullion and was looking to diversify into platinum. I ended up going with bullion for platinum, mostly because of the ease of tracking and the lower premiums compared to numismatics. Didn't want to overcomplicate things with appraisals and whatnot for a smaller percentage of my portfolio. Has worked out well so far!

frank_rivera💎Premium (500k-1m)Real Investor•less than a minute ago

Interesting thought on platinum. You mentioned you've been a gold bug for a while, mostly holding bullion. Are you planning to stick with platinum bullion for your IRA, or are you leaning more towards those numismatic platinum coins you hinted at in the title?

timothy_reed💎Premium (500k-1m)Real Investor•less than a minute ago

Interesting thought process here, but I'm not sure I'd ever suggest numismatic platinum for an IRA. The whole point of an IRA, especially one with precious metals, is typically long-term, stable value preservation and growth. The premiums on numismatics, especially for something like platinum which already has a lower trading volume than gold, can be brutal. You're essentially betting on two things: the platinum price *and* the collectible market for that specific coin. That's a lot of extra risk for a retirement account, IMO.

janet_cook📊Growing (50-100k)•less than a minute ago

Hey, interesting question! When it comes to platinum in an IRA, one thing to keep in mind is the IRS approval process for specific coins. While bullion bars are generally straightforward if they meet purity standards, some numismatic platinum coins might not be considered "IRA-eligible" even if they're platinum.

I found this IRS FAQ on IRA investments that might be helpful. It's always good to double-check with your IRA custodian to ensure any specific numismatic platinum you're looking at is indeed eligible before pulling the trigger. Good luck with your allocation!

ashley_baker💼Starter (0-50k)✓ Verified•less than a minute ago

Totally agree with your approach here. I've been in a similar boat, heavy on the gold bullion side for my IRA, but started looking into platinum for diversification and its industrial demand.

For me, I ended up going with platinum bullion coins for the IRA. The premium on numismatic platinum felt a bit high for my comfort, especially since the goal for this portion of my portfolio is more about the metal's intrinsic value and potential for appreciation rather than collector's value. Plus, storage is simpler with bullion. My current platinum allocation is sitting at about 8% of my total IRA, so fairly close to what you're aiming for!

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