There is no IRS-mandated minimum to open a precious metals IRA – the minimum you’ll actually encounter comes from the custodian and dealer, not federal law. In practice, most gold and silver IRA companies set their own account minimums, commonly somewhere between $10,000 and $25,000, because setup and annual storage fees at an IRS-approved depository make very small accounts impractical to administer profitably.

What the IRS does regulate is what metals qualify. Under IRC Section 408(m), gold must be at least .995 fine, silver at least .999 fine, and platinum/palladium at least .9995 fine, with limited exceptions such as American Gold Eagle coins. The metals must be held by a qualified trustee or custodian, not stored at home, to remain IRA-eligible.

Before opening an account, compare setup fees, annual storage and insurance fees, and buyback policies across custodians rather than focusing only on the stated minimum – those recurring costs matter more to long-term returns than the entry threshold.

FAQ

Can I roll over an existing 401(k) or IRA instead of a new cash contribution? Yes, and rollovers are not subject to the annual IRA contribution limit ($7,500 for 2026 per IRS Notice 2025-67), so many people fund precious metals IRAs this way rather than with new contributions.