Silver Eagles vs. Generic Rounds for IRA?

Daniel Wright

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Silver Eagles vs. Generic Rounds for IRA?

daniel_wright💎Premium (500k-1m)

about 2 months ago

Key Takeaways

•I'm looking at putting around 10-15% of my ~750k portfolio into precious metals, and silver is definitely on my radar.
•My question for those of you who have been through this: Silver Eagles or generic silver rounds for an IRA?
•But man, the premium on those things right now is no joke.

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So I'm in the process of rolling over a chunk of cash from an old 401k into a Gold IRA, thinking a lot about diversifying outside of tech stocks and the general market craziness. I'm looking at putting around 10-15% of my ~750k portfolio into precious metals, and silver is definitely on my radar. My question for those of you who have been through this: Silver Eagles or generic silver rounds for an IRA?

From what I gather, Eagles are obviously recognized everywhere, supposedly easier to sell if that day ever comes, and have that numismatic appeal, even if it's minimal for bullion. But man, the premium on those things right now is no joke. I'm seeing 20-30% over spot in some places. Generic rounds, on the other hand, are much closer to spot, which feels a lot better when you're looking to acquire a decent stack of ounces. My goal here is purely a hedge against inflation and market volatility, not necessarily to collect rare coins, so the lower premium on generics is a huge draw.

Is the peace of mind/liquidity of Eagles really worth that much extra premium in an IRA setting? Given that these are going into a custodian, it's not like I'm personally holding them in a safe in my Austin home office. What have your experiences been when it comes to liquidating either of these within an IRA? Any hidden fees or hurdles with generics that I'm not thinking about? I ran through a pretty comprehensive Gold IRA Quiz the other day which was super helpful for understanding the process, but it didn't really dive deep into the specific product choices like this.

Appreciate any insights or anecdotes you guys can share. Trying to make the most informed decision before pulling the trigger here.

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5 comments

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Best Answer▲ 10 upvotes

ronald_morris👑Elite (1m-5m)

Hey there! That's a great move diversifying into precious metals. For your silver IRA, while Eagles are popular, don't forget to check out the premium over spot for both Eagles and generic rounds. Sometimes, the generic rounds offer a much better price per ounce which can really add up when you're looking at a larger allocation.

You might find this article on IRA-approved silver coins helpful for comparing your options and understanding the premium differences: https://www.investopedia.com/IRA-approved-silver-coins-6821360 Good luck with your rollover!

Comments (5)

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

Totally get where you're coming from. When I set up my precious metals IRA a few years back, I had a similar dilemma. Ended up going with a mix of Eagles and some lower premium bars for the silver portion. Felt like a good balance between getting some recognizable, government-backed stuff and still maximizing ounces with the bars. Good luck with the rollover!

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

Hey, cool you're getting into metals! Quick question about your 750k portfolio – is that including the 401k you're rolling over, or is that your total net worth before the rollover is factored in? Just trying to get a better picture of the overall allocation.

jason_morgan💰Established (100-250k)Real Investor✓ Verified•about 2 months ago

Hey, cool you're looking into precious metals for diversification! Just a thought though – with only 10-15% of a $750k portfolio, especially for an IRA, you might be overthinking the "generic rounds vs. Silver Eagles" debate a bit. The premiums on Eagles, while higher, are still a pretty small fraction of your total investment. For the sake of easier liquidation down the road (especially in an IRA where paperwork can be a pain), the recognized name of an Eagle might be worth that fractional premium anyway. Just something to consider!

ronald_morris👑Elite (1m-5m)Real Investor•about 2 months ago

paul_hill🏆Advanced (250-500k)Real Investor✓ Verified•about 2 months ago

Totally agree with your approach here. I went through a similar process with my IRA a few years back, and definitely prioritized getting some physical silver in there. For me, it was 80% Eagles and 20% generic rounds, just to split the difference between recognition/liquidity and pure metal weight. Good luck with the rollover!

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