“Gold IRA vs. Roth IRA” is a bit of a false choice — a Roth IRA is a tax structure (contributions taxed now, qualified withdrawals tax-free later), while a Gold IRA describes what asset the account holds (physical precious metals instead of stocks or funds). A Roth Gold IRA is a real, legal combination of both: a self-directed Roth IRA holding IRS-approved metal.

What Actually Differs

The real comparison isn’t Gold IRA vs. Roth IRA — it’s traditional vs. Roth tax treatment (pre-tax now / taxed on withdrawal, versus taxed now / tax-free qualified withdrawal), combined separately with a choice of asset (stocks, bonds, or metals). You can pick a Roth structure holding gold, a traditional structure holding gold, or either structure holding conventional investments.

The Mechanics That Apply to Any Gold IRA

Whichever tax structure you choose, physical metal held inside the account still needs an IRS-approved custodian and depository under 26 U.S.C. §408(m)(3), with a 99.5% purity minimum for gold (99.9% for silver). The 2026 contribution limit — $7,500, or $8,600 if you’re 50+ — is the same whether the account is traditional or Roth.