Augusta Precious Metals
Our featured pick for gold and silver IRAs, with education-first guidance, lifetime account support, and a transparent approach to pricing.
Get a free gold IRA guideWhen you want to buy gold or silver outright and hold it yourself, you are shopping for a bullion dealer rather than an IRA provider. The 9 companies in this group sell coins, rounds, and bars directly to the public and ship them to your door or hold them in an optional storage account.
Price is only part of the picture. Every dealer adds a premium over the metal's spot price, and that premium changes with the product, the quantity, and the day, so compare a few carts before you commit. Look just as closely at shipping and insurance terms, accepted payment methods, return policy, and how the dealer prices a buyback if you sell later. Established names such as APMEX, JM Bullion, and SD Bullion publish deep product catalogs, while others focus on tighter pricing or specific mints.
Whatever you choose, confirm the total delivered cost in writing and buy only widely recognized products so reselling stays simple.
Compare these companies
Augusta Precious Metals
Our featured pick for gold and silver IRAs, with education-first guidance, lifetime account support, and transparent pricing.
View profileA-Mark Precious Metals
A-Mark Precious Metals is a publicly traded wholesale metals firm in El Segundo, California, that trades, finances, and distributes bullion across the
View profileAPMEX
APMEX is a national online dealer in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, based in Oklahoma City. It suits collectors, first-time buyers, a
View profileBGASC
BGASC is an online dealer selling physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins, rounds, and bars to buyers across the United States. An owners
View profileBullion Exchanges
Bullion Exchanges is a New York based online precious metals dealer with a walk-in storefront in Manhattan's Diamond District. It sells gold, silver,
View profileJM Bullion
JM Bullion is a Dallas-based national online bullion dealer founded in 2011 and now part of the A-Mark Precious Metals group. It sells gold, silver, p
View profileMoney Metals Exchange
Money Metals Exchange is an Idaho-based national online dealer in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, founded in 2010. It offers online bullion sal
View profileProvident Metals
Provident Metals is a United States based national online bullion dealer selling gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins, rounds, and bars. With n
View profileSD Bullion
SD Bullion is a Michigan-based national online dealer in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, founded in 2012. It focuses on widely traded
View profileTexas Precious Metals
Texas Precious Metals is a Shiner, Texas bullion dealer selling gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins, rounds, and bars nationwide. Affiliated w
View profileFrequently asked questions
What is a bullion premium?
It is the amount a dealer charges above the metal's spot price to cover minting, distribution, and margin. Premiums vary by product, quantity, and market conditions.
Are coins or bars a better buy?
Neither is universally better. Bars often carry lower premiums for the same weight, while popular coins can be easier to resell in small amounts, so match the format to your goal.
Is buying physical bullion the same as a gold IRA?
No. Bullion you buy here is yours to hold at home or store privately, while a gold IRA requires a custodian and storage at an approved depository under IRS rules.
How do I avoid overpaying?
Compare the delivered price across a few dealers, stick to widely recognized coins and bars, and confirm shipping, insurance, and any payment surcharges before you check out.
What the rules say
Investment bullion tracks the live metal price plus a modest premium, while collectible coins carry values driven by scarcity. Widely traded products from the U.S. Mint or refiners on the LBMA good delivery list resell most easily, and for any purchase you should compare the premium over the metal value before buying.
