Silver Eagles vs. Generic Rounds in Roth IRA - Need Advice!

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Silver Eagles vs. Generic Rounds in Roth IRA - Need Advice!

betty_king📊Growing (50-100k)

about 2 months ago

Key Takeaways

•He was always so good with investments, and I'm really trying to honor his legacy by making smart decisions, even when it feels a bit overwhelming.
•My IRA is sitting around $85,000 right now, and I'm based here in Raleigh, trying to make sure these assets are really working for me long-term.
•I'm really trying to optimize for when I eventually have to take distributions, and that whole RMD thing is something I dread.

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I've been thinking a lot about my silver holdings within my self-directed Roth IRA, especially now that I'm trying to get a clearer picture of everything my late husband and I built. He was always so good with investments, and I'm really trying to honor his legacy by making smart decisions, even when it feels a bit overwhelming.

Most of our silver is in American Silver Eagles, which I know are popular, but I've also seen a lot of talk lately about generic silver rounds being better for IRAs due to the lower premium. My IRA is sitting around $85,000 right now, and I'm based here in Raleigh, trying to make sure these assets are really working for me long-term. Is the premium on Eagles just throwing money away when it comes to an IRA, or is there some inherent stability or recognition that makes them worthwhile even with that extra cost?

I'm really trying to optimize for when I eventually have to take distributions, and that whole RMD thing is something I dread. I’ve been meaning to check out one of those online RMD Calculators to get a head start, but first, I need to figure out what I’m holding. Should I consider selling some Eagles to buy generic rounds with the savings? Or is there a reason to stick with the Eagles, especially given their government backing? Any thoughts or experiences from those who've navigated this would be incredibly helpful.

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5 comments

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Best Answer▲ 5 upvotes

maria_campbell📊Growing (50-100k)

Hey there. While I totally get the appeal of Eagles, especially with their government backing and recognition, I'm not entirely convinced they're always the best play for an IRA, particularly if we're talking about maximizing ounces. The premium on Eagles can be substantial, and that's essentially lost money if your goal is purely silver accumulation. Generic rounds, while not as "fancy," often get you more silver for your buck, which, in a long-term investment like a Roth, might actually be the smarter move in terms of raw metal exposure. Just something to consider!

Comments (5)

catherine_bell🏆Advanced (250-500k)Real Investor•about 2 months ago

Hey there! I totally get where you're coming from. My dad actually did something similar with his Roth. He went with Eagles initially for the "official" feel, but then later diversified into some generic rounds when he wanted to add more weight without the premium. It really depends on what you're prioritizing – numismatic value/liquidity or just pure silver weight. Good luck with everything!

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

Sorry for your loss. It's smart to be looking into this now. Just a quick question though—when you say "generic rounds," are you talking about specific mints or just, like, any old rounds that meet the purity requirements? I'm curious if there's a particular kind you're considering for the lower premium option. Good luck!

maria_campbell📊Growing (50-100k)✓ Verified•about 2 months ago

Hey there. While I totally get the appeal of Eagles, especially with their government backing and recognition, I'm not entirely convinced they're always the *best* play for an IRA, particularly if we're talking about maximizing ounces. The premium on Eagles can be substantial, and that's essentially lost money if your goal is purely silver accumulation. Generic rounds, while not as "fancy," often get you more silver for your buck, which, in a long-term investment like a Roth, might actually be the smarter move in terms of raw metal exposure. Just something to consider!

kenneth_parker💎Premium (500k-1m)Real Investor✓ Verified•about 2 months ago

Hey there! This is a great question, and it's smart you're looking into this. When it comes to PMs in an IRA, remember that a custodian isn't going to hold anything that isn't IRS-approved. So, while generic rounds might be cheaper, they generally don't meet the fineness or purity standards required for IRA inclusion. Silver Eagles, on the other hand, are definitely approved.

For a super clear breakdown of what's allowed and what's not, I found a really helpful guide from a company called Augusta Precious Metals. They have a section specifically on IRA-approved metals that might clarify things even more for you: https://www.augustapreciousmetals.com/ira-approved-gold-silver-coins/ Hope this helps

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

This is a great question! I've been wrestling with something similar for my own gold IRA. I totally agree with the sentiment about Eagles for recognition and potential liquidity. My dad always swore by them.

For my part, I've opted for a mix. I have a good chunk of American Gold Eagles for that peace of mind, but I also diversified with some PAMP Suisse Gold bars for slightly lower premiums and added weight. It feels like a good balance between "recognizable value" and "getting more bang for my buck."

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