IRS-Approved Gold and Silver for IRAs: Complete 2026 List
Not all gold and silver qualifies for inclusion in an IRA. The IRS has specific purity and product requirements that must be met — and buying the wrong type of metal for your IRA can result in a prohibited transaction and immediate taxable distribution. This guide lists exactly which gold and silver products are IRS-approved for retirement accounts in 2026.
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IRS Purity Requirements by Metal
Under IRC Section 408(m), the IRS sets minimum fineness (purity) requirements for precious metals held in IRAs:
- Gold: Minimum .995 fine (99.5% pure) — with one exception noted below
- Silver: Minimum .999 fine (99.9% pure)
- Platinum: Minimum .9995 fine (99.95% pure)
- Palladium: Minimum .9995 fine (99.95% pure)
IRS-Approved Gold Coins
American Gold Eagle
Available in 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz sizes. The American Gold Eagle is .9167 fine (22 karat) — technically below the .995 threshold — but is explicitly named as an IRS exception under IRC 408(m)(3)(A)(i). It is one of the most commonly held gold coins in IRAs.
American Gold Buffalo
Available in 1 oz. Struck in .9999 fine (24 karat) gold. The Gold Buffalo meets and exceeds the IRS purity threshold and is widely held in gold IRAs.
Canadian Gold Maple Leaf
Available in 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz, and 1/20 oz. Struck in .9999 fine gold. Issued by the Royal Canadian Mint and IRS-approved for IRA inclusion.
Austrian Gold Philharmonic
Available in 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz. Struck in .9999 fine gold. Issued by the Austrian Mint, IRS-approved.
Australian Gold Kangaroo/Nugget
Available in multiple sizes. Struck in .9999 fine gold by the Perth Mint. IRS-approved.
South African Gold Krugerrand
The original modern bullion coin, but struck in .9167 fine gold (22 karat) — the same as the American Eagle. Unlike the Eagle, the Krugerrand is NOT explicitly named in the IRS code as an exception, making it ineligible for IRA inclusion despite its purity being identical to the approved Eagle.
IRS-Approved Gold Bars and Rounds
Gold bars and rounds are eligible for IRA inclusion if they meet these criteria:
- Minimum .995 fine gold
- Produced by a NYMEX or COMEX-approved refiner, assayer, or national government mint
- Accompanied by an assay certificate confirming purity
Common IRS-eligible gold bar brands include PAMP Suisse, Credit Suisse, Valcambi, Johnson Matthey, and bars produced by the Royal Canadian Mint, Perth Mint, and similar national mints. Ask your custodian for their current approved bar list.
IRS-Approved Silver Coins
American Silver Eagle
The American Silver Eagle is explicitly named in the IRS code as IRA-eligible. Available in 1 oz. Struck in .999 fine silver. This is the most commonly held silver coin in precious metals IRAs.
Canadian Silver Maple Leaf
Available in 1 oz. Struck in .9999 fine silver. IRS-approved.
Austrian Silver Philharmonic
Available in 1 oz. Struck in .999 fine silver. IRS-approved.
Australian Silver Kangaroo
Available in 1 oz. Struck in .9999 fine silver. IRS-approved.
IRS-Approved Silver Bars
Silver bars are eligible if they are .999 fine or better and produced by an approved refiner. Common eligible silver bar brands include Sunshine Minting, NTR Metals, Johnson Matthey, and Engelhard. Bars must typically be accompanied by assay certification.
What Is NOT Eligible for a Gold IRA
- Collectible coins: Rare coins, numismatic coins, and collectibles are specifically excluded from IRA eligibility under IRC 408(m)(2), regardless of their metal content
- South African Krugerrands: Not named as an exception like the American Eagle
- Gold jewelry: Not investment-grade bullion; not IRA-eligible
- Gold ETFs and gold stocks: These are financial instruments, not physical metal — they can be held in a regular IRA or brokerage account but are not “physical gold” for gold IRA purposes
- Gold certificates: Paper claims on gold, not physical metal in your IRA
Why This Matters When Choosing a Gold IRA Company
A reputable gold IRA company will only offer you IRS-eligible products. If a company is pushing numismatic or collectible coins as part of your IRA, that’s a serious red flag — those coins carry high dealer markups and are not IRA-compliant. Always verify that any product recommended for your IRA is on your custodian’s approved list.
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Call Augusta Precious Metals at 844-977-0427 or request your free educational kit. Their team handles everything from paperwork to purchase — at no cost to you.
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