IRA-Approved Gold: 2026 Purity Rules & Eligible Products
To be held in an IRA, gold must be at least 99.5% pure (.995 fineness) and produced by an approved mint or refiner — with one notable exception: the American Gold Eagle, which is 91.67% pure but is specifically permitted by statute. The metals must also be held by an IRS-approved custodian and stored at an approved depository, not at home.
Gold generally needs .995 fineness (99.5%) to qualify. Common eligible products include American Gold Eagles (a statutory exception at 91.67%), American Gold Buffalos, Canadian Gold Maple Leafs, Australian Gold Kangaroos, and accredited-refiner bars and rounds. Rare, collectible, or “numismatic” coins generally do not qualify. Eligibility is set by the tax code — it says nothing about whether a purchase is right for you.
Important: This page is educational and general in nature. It is not investment, tax, or legal advice. Product eligibility and purity rules can change — always confirm a specific product’s IRA eligibility with your custodian before purchasing.
Purity (fineness) requirements by metal
The IRS sets minimum fineness standards for each metal that can be held in a precious metals IRA:
Gold
99.5% pure (.995) minimum
Silver
99.9% pure (.999) minimum
Platinum
99.95% pure (.9995) minimum
Palladium
99.95% pure (.9995) minimum
The American Gold Eagle exception
The American Gold Eagle is only 91.67% pure (22-karat), which is below the .995 gold standard. Congress specifically authorized it for IRAs by statute, so it remains eligible despite its lower fineness. It is the best-known exception to the purity rule.
Commonly eligible gold products
- American Gold Eagle: Statutory exception; 91.67% pure but IRA-eligible.
- American Gold Buffalo: 99.99% pure, produced by the U.S. Mint.
- Canadian Gold Maple Leaf: 99.99% pure, from the Royal Canadian Mint.
- Australian Gold Kangaroo/Nugget: 99.99% pure, from the Perth Mint.
- Austrian Gold Philharmonic: 99.99% pure, from the Austrian Mint.
- Accredited-refiner bars & rounds: Bars/rounds meeting .995 from an approved refiner (e.g., LBMA-accredited).
Products that generally do NOT qualify
- Rare or collectible (numismatic) coins: Valued for rarity rather than metal content; generally excluded from IRAs.
- Pre-1933 and most foreign circulated coins: Often below the fineness threshold or otherwise disallowed.
- Jewelry and non-approved bars: Metal not from an accredited refiner, or below required purity.
Be cautious of any pitch that pushes high-premium “collectible” coins for an IRA. See our guide on spotting gold IRA scams for common warning signs.
See the numbers for yourself
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Frequently asked questions
What purity does gold need to be for an IRA?
Gold generally must be at least 99.5% pure (.995 fineness). The American Gold Eagle is a statutory exception at 91.67% and remains eligible.
Is the American Gold Eagle IRA-approved even though it is 22-karat?
Yes. Although it is only 91.67% pure, the American Gold Eagle is specifically authorized for IRAs by statute, making it an exception to the .995 rule.
Can I hold collectible or rare coins in a gold IRA?
Generally no. Rare and collectible (numismatic) coins are typically excluded. IRAs are meant to hold bullion-grade products that meet fineness standards.
Can I store IRA-approved gold at home?
No. Even eligible metals must be held by an IRS-approved custodian and stored at an approved depository. Storing them at home can be treated as a taxable distribution.
Sources & authoritative references
This page draws on primary sources. Rules can change — always confirm current details with the official source or a licensed professional before acting.
- 26 U.S. Code § 408(m) — Investment in collectibles (bullion exception)The federal statute defining which coins and bullion an IRA may hold.
- IRS Publication 590-A — Contributions to Individual Retirement ArrangementsOfficial IRS rules on IRA contributions and eligibility.
- Investor.gov (U.S. SEC) — CommoditiesSEC investor-education primer on commodities including precious metals.
About this guide
Published and maintained by Metals Retirement Audit · Last reviewed July 2026
Metals Retirement Audit publishes educational reference material on precious-metals retirement accounts for U.S. savers. Guides are written and maintained under the organization’s name rather than attributed to an individual, and they are reviewed on a recurring schedule so the rules, limits, and figures they cite stay current.
Sourced from primary documents
Rules and figures are drawn from IRS publications, the U.S. Code, and federal regulators such as the SEC, CFTC, and FINRA — cited on each page so you can check them yourself.
Reviewed and dated
Every guide carries a visible review date. Tax figures and contribution limits are re-checked against the current year’s official guidance when that date changes.
Corrections welcome
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This page is educational and general in nature. It is not investment, tax, or legal advice and does not account for your individual circumstances. Product eligibility and purity standards can change over time. Confirm a specific product’s IRA eligibility with your custodian before purchasing.
Disclosure: We may earn a referral fee when you connect with a precious metals company through this site, at no additional cost to you. This does not influence the educational information above. We are not a financial advisor, broker, or dealer.