Updated January 13, 2023

Augusta Precious Metals Review

By Jeremy Harshman
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Augusta Precious Metals is a trusted gold and silver IRA provider. But is the high account minimum right for you? Read the full review.

Augusta Precious Metals
Free Gold IRA Web Conference

Overall Score

4.3

Minimum Deposit

3.0

Gold IRA

4.5

Customer Service

5.0

Fees

4.0

Safety

5.0
5-point scale (the higher, the better)

Pros and Cons

  • Lifetime support
  • Priority on education
  • Free 1-on-1 webinar
  • $50,000 minimum
  • High markup on premium coins

Bottom Line

Gold IRA specialist known for superior customer service

Thinking about investing in gold for your retirement? You've probably come across Augusta Precious Metals. It's one of the most reputable gold IRA companies.

Not only is it endorsed by Joe Montana, it's also one of the only gold IRA companies with no negative complaints.

Should you trust them with your retirement savings?

Here's a detailed review of Augusta Precious Metals. Read on to learn the pros, cons, what sets them apart, and if there's a better gold IRA provider.

What Is Augusta Precious Metals?

Augusta Precious Metals is a gold IRA provider that lets you invest in physical gold and other precious metals. Since its founding in 2012, it has become a leader in gold and silver IRAs.

This family-owned business is founded by CEO Isaac Nuriani. It's headquartered in Casper, Wyoming.

Augusta offers:

  • IRA-approved precious metals
  • Direct purchase of gold and silver
  • Gold storage in an IRS-approved depository
  • Lifetime support from professionals

They stand by 3 commitments to customers: transparency, simplicity, and top-notch service. Augusta stays with you every step of the way — from education to withdrawals.

To open a gold IRA, the account minimum is $50,000, which is higher than many competitors. But if you have the money, they have lower annual fees than some other companies.

Who Augusta Precious Metals is Best For

Augusta Precious Metals may be the right gold IRA company for you if you:

  • Are still undecided and want to learn about investing in gold before taking the leap
  • Want to be guided through every step
  • Have at least $50,000 to rollover or invest

If you only want to invest a small amount of money into gold instead, check at Goldco. They only require a $25,000 minimum investment.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Free 1-on-1 web session
  • Prioritizes on educating customers
  • On-staff Harvard trained economist
  • Helps you with paperwork to open IRA
  • Competitive fees
  • Lifetime support from Augusta professionals

Cons:

  • $50,000 minimum
  • Higher markups on premium coins

What Makes Augusta Precious Metals Stand Out

A lot of gold IRA companies seem very similar. When looking for the right one for you, what's important is that you feel comfortable entrusting the company with your future.

Here are 3 reasons that set Augusta Precious Metals apart.

1. Education Comes First

Investing your savings in gold can be scary. The last thing you need is being rushed into a big decision you may be unsure about.

Augusta Precious Metals goes above and beyond to educate customers. They want to make sure you're buying for the right reasons. They take time to understand your goals, so they can help you decide if a gold IRA is the right move for you.

Before you even sign up, you'll get a free 1-on-1 web conference led by Devlyn Steele, their on-staff, Harvard-trained economist. This session will teach you about gold, the risks and rewards, and even scams to avoid.

The team will answer all your questions until you feel confident about your choice. There's never any pressure to open an account.

Not ready to talk to anyone yet? You can still get their free Gold IRA Lies guide, so you don't get scammed somewhere else.

2. Lifetime Support

Once you're an Augusta customer, you get lifetime support from their entire team of gold professionals.

You'll have a dedicated agent who will serve as your main point of contact. They'll connect you to other experts who'll help with:

  • Education about gold and market updates
  • Adding more gold to your IRA
  • Managing distributions during retirement
  • Building a legacy for your family
  • Selling back your precious metals

Augusta doesn't just leave you on your own after your purchase. They aim to be your long-term partner through your entire journey.

3. Excellent Customer Reviews

Based on over 790 customer reviews, Augusta Precious Metals averages 4.95 out of 5 stars.

It's the gold IRA that star quarterback Joe Montana personally uses. And it has hundreds of glowing 5-star reviews from:

Overall, customers say that the Augusta team made them feel valued and never pressured them to buy. The reps go above and beyond to answer questions and guide them through the process.

Customers also really enjoyed the one-on-one webinar. They say it was very informative to help them decide if a precious metals IRA is right for them.

Here are some reviews:

"Augusta Precious Metals is extremely helpful as you navigate the metal IRA industry. I appreciate their patience with all of my questions and concerns. Very customer oriented, do not pressure you to move faster than you want. Always kept in touch as I went through the process, again very patient with questions. Easy to work with, and deliver in good timing."
- Mitzi B (on BBB)

"I really learned a lot from our conversations with Augusta Precious Metals. They really explained to us the economics of gold and silver and how the world around affects pricing, etc. Very very thorough, informative and it was not a high pressure sales situation at all."
- Sharilyn V (on Trustlink)

"Augusta Precious Metals provided a solid performance. I didn't expect this level of conversation in terms of honesty and human-ness. They answered questions that had been just beyond my ability to put into words. I feel that I will still be in control of my wealth."
- Pamela P (on Google Reviews)

Augusta is actually one of the only gold IRA companies with almost exclusively good reviews. It has no complaints on the BBB and no 1-star reviews.

How to Get Started With Augusta Precious Metals

Augusta makes it easy to open an IRA account. They've streamlined the process so it's as simple as possible:

  1. Learn about gold IRAs in your free web conference.
  2. When you're ready, you'll open your self-directed IRA account. Augusta works with Equity Trust.
  3. Fund your account. Augusta will help you complete the paperwork to rollover your existing retirement account.
  4. Augusta's order desk will help you purchase coins from a list of IRA-eligible coins.
  5. Your precious metals will be sent to an IRS-approved secure depository.

Even if you know nothing about transfer paperwork or purchasing coins, don't worry. Augusta holds your hand through the entire process.

Keep reading to learn more about Augusta's services in detail.

Minimum, Pricing, and Fees

Augusta Precious Metals has a $50,000 account minimum.[1] This is higher than other gold IRA competitors. But if you're rolling over funds from a 401k or IRA, $50k is probably not a big deal.

Augusta's fees are:[2]

  • One-time set up fee: $50
  • Annual custodian fee: $100
  • Annual depository fee: $100

In total, you'll pay $250 for the first year. After that, the fee is $200 each year. There are no management fees, shipping fees, or insurance fees.

Augusta also charges a margin when you purchase precious metals. The margin is different for each product. According to their Transaction Agreement, the margin can be as high as 66% for premium coins. That's pretty high, but their Common Bullion Products have a more standard markup.

Overall, Augusta's fees are similar to or even lower than their competitors. We'll go over some at the end of the review.

What Products and Services Does Augusta Precious Metals Offer?

Now that you have a better idea of what Augusta Precious Metals is, let's take a deeper look at their products and services, including.

  • IRA gold and silver coins
  • Precious metals storage
  • Gold buy-back program

Now let's dive in.

Physical Gold & Silver IRA

The Physical Gold and Silver IRA from Augusta Precious Metals is their primary offering. It allows investors with over $50,000 to invest in gold and silver as a part of their tax-advantaged retirement account.

Augusta's preferred custodian is Equity Trust. They're a self-directed IRA provider with over 45 years of experience. They serve customers in all 50 states and hold over $34 billion in assets.

Augusta will serve as your liaison to Equity Trust. Of course, you have access to them anytime you want. And you have full control over your investments.

Your gold and other precious metals are stored with the IRS-compliant Delaware Depository, the exchange-approved depository for CME (Chicago Mercantile Exchange) and ICE (Intercontinental Exchange).

In addition to the depository's physical security, your gold and silver will be protected by $1 billion all-risk insurance provided by Lloyd's of London.

The Augusta Physical Gold and Silver IRA is one of the best on the market, as you can see in the comparison with their competitors below.

IRA-Eligible Gold and Silver Coins

The IRS has strict requirements for what kind of bullion and coins you can invest in for an IRA account.

Per regulations, all gold coins in a precious metals IRA must be 99.5% pure (the exception is the American Gold Eagle coin, which is 91.67% pure). Silver coins in an IRA must be 99.9% pure.

Augusta Precious Metals offers a range of IRA-Eligible coins and bullion, including:

  • American Gold Eagles
  • American Gold Eagle Proofs
  • Canadian Maple Leaves
  • Gold Canadian Eagles
  • Gold American Buffalo
  • Gold Australian Striped Marlin
  • American Silver Eagles
  • Canadian Silver Eagles
  • Canadian Silver Maple Leaf

Current pricing isn't listed, so you'll need to call Augusta Precious Metals to learn more.

Gold And Silver for Direct Purchases

In addition to buying gold and silver for your IRA, you can also purchase gold and silver bullion directly to store at home.

The gold and silver bullion you find at Augusta Precious Metals includes:

  • Gold American Eagle BU (1 oz, .5 oz, .25 oz, .10 oz)
  • Gold American Buffalo (1 oz BU)
  • South African Gold Krugerrand (1 oz)
  • Gold Bar (10 oz)
  • Gold Bar (1 oz)
  • American Eagle Silver (1 oz)
  • Silver Bar (100 oz)
  • Silver Bar (10 oz) and more

Like their gold and silver coins, bullion prices are unlisted. You'll need to call Augusta Precious Metals for the latest pricing.

Gold Buy-Back Program

While you may not intend to sell your gold soon, there's always the chance your position changes and you want to make a quick sale.

Augusta's Gold Buy-Back Program lets you sell your gold back to them. This ensures that you have a way to sell if you need the cash fast. You don't need to look for your own gold buyer.

Augusta can't guarantee that they will always buy back your gold. However, they have never turned down a request.

You can sell your gold on your own, of course. But that involves finding a buyer or local gold dealer, and searching for the best prices. With Augusta's buyback program, you can have peace of mind knowing they'll buy it back at competitive prices.

Is Augusta Precious Metals Safe and Secure?

When you're holding physical gold and silver in your retirement IRA account, you'll want to make sure it's secure.

Augusta Precious Metals has secured storage with Delaware Depository. This is an IRS-approved depository that specializes in precious metals storage.

Your gold and silver are protected by a $1 billion all-risk insurance policy provided by Lloyd's of London.

Augusta also has depositories around the US in the following cities:
  • Los Angeles, California
  • Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Jackson, Ohio
  • Wilmington, Delaware
  • New Castle, Delaware
  • Springfield Gardens, New York
  • Nampa, Idaho
  • Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Shiner, Texas
  • Dallas, Texas
  • South Fargo, North Dakota
  • Bridgewater, Massachusetts.[3]

You can even visit your storage facility to see your metals in person. Your custodian can arrange those visits.

Augusta Precious Metals FAQs

Is Augusta Precious Metals legit?
Yes, it's safe to say that Augusta Precious Metals is a legit precious metals IRA provider. They're partnered with custodian Equity Trust to provide their gold and silver IRA. Equity Trust has been around for over 45 years and holds over $34 billion in assets.

And the gold and silver in your IRA is safely stored with depositories like Delaware Depository, which is protected by $1 billion all-risk insurance through London underwriters.

They have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and an AAA rating with the Business Consumer Alliance. They have average customer ratings of over 4.9 stars.

If you're still concerned, take a look at this helpful guide from the CTFC on how to identify precious metals fraud.

Are precious metals still a good investment?
While we can't offer specific investment advice, we can tell you that precious metals like gold and silver have historically offered a reduction in risk to those primarily invested in stocks because of the low correlation between them.

Adding diversification to your investment portfolio is generally a sound investment strategy. By investing in precious metals, you are less subject to the volatility of a purely stock-based portfolio.

Who is Augusta Precious Metals best for?
Augusta Precious Metals is best for retirement investors interested in diversifying away from only stocks and similar investments. And who have at least $50,000 saved for an initial investment.

What is the best metal to buy right now?
Any honest broker will tell you that there's no way of knowing which metal is the best to buy. Predicting the market is tricky, and even experts frequently make mistakes.

Diversification is your best hedge against a fluctuating market. That said, gold and silver are likely the most beginner-friendly metals for new investors. They are the easiest to access and are widely bought and sold.

Is it worth buying precious metals?
There is no way to know for sure if now is a good time to buy precious metals or not. However, they can be a good way to diversify a portfolio mostly made up of stocks and other investments.

Precious metals also have a low correlation with the stock market, so they can help reduce the volatility of someone's investment portfolio.

Augusta Precious Metals vs. Competitors

Now that you've got a solid idea of what Augusta Precious Metals is and the services they offer, let's compare it to other precious metals IRA providers worth considering.

Here's how Augusta stands up to some of its top competitors: Goldco, Birch Gold Group, and Noble Gold.

Goldco

Let's start with some important stats. Goldco has a minimum investment of $25,000. Depending on the options you choose, Goldco could have a slightly higher annual fee than Augusta.

But if you make at least $50,000 investment, they offer 5% back in premium silver. And investments over $100,000 get additional 10% in silver.

Customers give Goldco similar reviews to Augusta. Both companies are known for personalized service and excellent customer support.

One area Goldco stands out in is that they promise to buy back your gold at the highest price. This gives you more security knowing that you're not stuck with your gold and can sell it back at a good price.

Overall, you may save on fees by going with Augusta. But the extra cost may be worth choosing Goldco if you want to take advantage of the free silver promo.

Birch Gold Group

Birch Gold Group has the lowest minimum investment at $10,000. Their annual fee is $200.[4] And they waive fees in the first year for accounts over $50,000.

Just like Augusta, Birch Gold gets great reviews from customers.

You get a dedicated specialist for the entire life of your account with Birch. This specialist will understand your financial needs and goals, and can give personalized advice to help you best reach your goals.

Both gold IRA companies offer great service. But the $10,000 minimum for Birch Gold Group is more attainable for smaller investors than the $50,000 required by Augusta.

Noble Gold

Noble Gold Investments has a minimum investment of only $20,000. Their setup fee is $80 and you'll also pay a $150 annual fee if you store in Texas or Delaware.[5]

Noble Gold takes security and trust seriously. They'll even take photo proof of your gold in the depository (for free!).

They have a "no hard sell" policy and a "no-questions-asked" buy-back program.

With a lower minimum investment of $20,000, Noble Gold is a good alternative to Augusta Precious Metals if you don't want to invest $50,000 in gold right away.

Bottom Line

Augusta Precious Metals is one of the most reputable precious metals IRA providers. They have almost exclusively positive reviews. The fees are comparable to other popular precious metals IRA providers.

One reason to choose them is because of their exceptional customer service. The free 1:1 web session is really valuable to help you learn about gold IRAs and if it's right for you. And their team of specialists are there to support you for the entire lifetime of your account.

The only downside is their relatively steep minimum investment of $50,000 or more.

References

  1. ^ Augusta Precious Metals. Are there minimum and maximum orders?, Retrieved 6/19/2022
  2. ^ Augusta Precious Metals. Augusta Gold and Silver IRA Setup and Pricing Information, Retrieved 8/18/2022
  3. ^ Augusta Precious Metals. Where are the private storage facilities located?, Retrieved 6/19/2022
  4. ^ Birch Gold Group. What is the Cost to Set Up and Maintain a Precious Metals IRA?, Retrieved 8/18/2022
  5. ^ Noble Gold. What are the fees for my new Gold IRA?, Retrieved 6/19/2022
Augusta Precious Metals

Free Gold IRA Web Conference

  • Free 1-on-1 web conference designed by an on-staff, Harvard-trained economist
  • Lifetime support even after your purchase
  • Endorsed by Joe Montana, Hall of Fame Quarterback
Get Free Gold IRA Guide
Goldco

Free Gold IRA Kit

  • Up to $10,000 in free silver for eligible customers
  • Highest buyback price, guaranteed
  • Endorsed by Sean Hannity and Chuck Norris
Get Deal
American Hartford Gold

Get Up to $10,000 in Free Silver on Qualifying Purchases

Get Deal
Birch Gold Group

Free 2023 Information Kit

  • Free "insider" info on gold & silver
  • 1-on-1 care with a dedicated specialist
  • Endorsed by Ben Shapiro and Ron Paul
Get Deal

Jeremy Harshman is a creative assistant at CreditDonkey, a personal finance comparison and reviews website. Write to Jeremy Harshman at jeremy.harshman@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.

Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.

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