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  • Precious Metals IRA

WHAT CAN BE PLACED IN A PRECIOUS METALS IRA?

Once you open your account, any IRS-approved precious metals can go into your Precious Metals IRA. Metals that receive IRS approval are also graded for condition by a third-party certification organization (of which there are several in the US), which authenticates the grade (purity) and weight of the metal to provide impartial verification that you’re getting exactly what you paid for.

Your NGG Account Executive can provide you with all the information you need to pick out your precious metals, however we generally recommend you invest in coins, which have value to collectors (called numismatic value) that exceed their precious metals content. That means you actually get more for your money than just the metal, and the value of your investment can grow even faster!

American Buffalo

Purity: 99.99% gold (24 karat)

American Buffalo

Denomination: $50

Metal Composition: 99.99% gold

Total Weight: 31.108 g


The 1913-1938 “Indian Head” nickel, with the buffalo reverse, is an essential bit of American nostalgia and history. Designed by the American master sculptor James Earle Fraser, it is just one of many enduring images he created. So popular is the Fraser “Indian Head” nickel that, prior to its selection as the U.S. Mint’s purest gold bullion coin, it was released by the U.S. Mint as a $1 uncirculated and proof silver coin in 2001.

American Gold Eagle

Purity: 91.67% gold (22 karat)

American Gold Eagle

Denomination: $5, $10, $25, and $50

Metal Composition: 91.67% gold, 3% silver, and 5.33% copper

Total Weight: 3.393g, 8.483g, 16.965g, 33.930g


The beautiful and classic design of the American Gold Eagle bullion coin is captured in the graceful Striding Liberty, first created by Augustus Saint Gaudens for the 1907-1933 $20 U.S. Double Gold Eagle gold coin. The reverse depicts a nest of American eagles signifying the strength and security of American families. Only gold mined in the United States, by law, is used in the minting of American gold Eagle coins.

The 1986 Gold Eagle marked the introduction of this world renowned Gold American Eagle bullion coin series. It has since become the world’s most widely traded gold bullion coin.

Australian Kangaroo

Purity: 99.99% gold (24 karat)

Australian Kangaroo

Denomination: $5, $15, $25, $50

Metal Composition: 99.99% gold

Total Weight: 1.5552g, 3.11 g, 7.78 g, 15.55 g


The Gold Nugget series was introduced in 1986 by the Gold Corporation, a company wholly owned by the government of Western Australia. This issue of coins had two unique features: a "two-tone" frosted design effect, and individual hard plastic encapsulation of each coin. These features were unusual for a standard bullion coin and gave the Nugget a unique market niche.

From 1986 to 1989, the reverse of these coins pictured various Australian gold nuggets. With the 1989 proof edition, the design was changed to feature different Kangaroos, a more world-recognized symbol of Australia. The coins are today sometimes referred to as "gold kangaroos".

Vienna Philharmonic

Purity: 99.99% gold (24 karat)

Vienna Philharmonic

Denomination: €10, €25, €50, €100

Metal Composition: 99.99% gold

Total Weight: 3.121 g, 7.776 g, 15.552 g, 31.103 g


The Vienna Philharmonic coin is issued every year, in four different face values, sizes and weights. It is used as an investment product (bullion coin), although it inevitably ends up in private collections. According to the World Gold Council, it was the best-selling gold coin worldwide in 1992, 1995 and 1996.

A design of musical instruments representing the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as the text Wiener Philharmoniker ("Vienna Philharmonic"), can be seen on the reverse of the coin.

Canadian Gold Maple Leaf

Purity: 99.99% gold (24 karat)

Canadian Gold Maple Leaf

Denomination: $1, $5, $10, $20, $50

Metal Composition: 99.99% gold

Total Weight:


The classic design of the gold Maple Leaf coin is virtually unchanged from its introduction. The bust of Queen Elizabeth II appears on the obverse side of the coin, gracefully aging across various vintage coins in a design by Arnold Machin.

Several other small changes can be found. The reverse depicts a single Canadian Maple Leaf, the national symbol of Canada. The finely detailed design has a proof-like strike.

Credit Suisse Gold Bars

Purity: 99.99% gold (24 karat)

Credit Suisse Gold Bars

Denomination: 1g, 5g, 10g Bars

Metal Composition: 99.99% gold

Total Weight: 1g, 5g, 10g


Backed by the world renowned Credit Suisse Bank of Switzerland, these conveniently sized 1 to 10 gram gold bars are guaranteed .9999 pure.

Each 24-Karat Suisse gold bar is stamped with its exact weight and gold purity and bears the Credit Suisse logo, an internationally recognized symbol of quality and sound provenance.

Perth Mint Certificates

Purity: N/A

Perth Mint Certificates

Denomination: N/A

Metal Composition: N/A

Total Weight: N/A


The Perth Mint Certificate Programme allows investors, savers and pension holders to own investment grade gold, silver and platinum bullion which is stored in vaults in the Perth Mint of Western Australia (est. 1899).

The bullion is stored in a government mint and insured by Lloyd's of London. The programme is fully guaranteed by the Government of Western Australia which enjoys the highest AAA rating from Standard and Poor's.

Other Bars and Rounds

Purity: N/A

Perth Mint Certificates

Denomination: N/A

Metal Composition: N/A

Total Weight: N/A


The Perth Mint Certificate Programme allows investors, savers and pension holders to own investment grade gold, silver and platinum bullion which is stored in vaults in the Perth Mint of Western Australia (est. 1899).

The bullion is stored in a government mint and insured by Lloyd's of London. The programme is fully guaranteed by the Government of Western Australia which enjoys the highest AAA rating from Standard and Poor's.

American Silver Eagle

Purity: 99.99% silver

American Silver Eagle

Denomination: $1

Metal Composition: 99.99% silver

Total Weight: 31.103 g


The Silver Eagle has become the most popular bullion coin in the world because of its beauty, quality and the assurance of content by the U.S. Government. Each coin contains 1 troy ounce of silver, is 99.9% pure and is legal tender.

The American Eagle is uniquely the only silver bullion coin whose weight, content, and purity is guaranteed by the United States Government.

Australian Kookaburra

Purity: 99.99% silver

Australian Kookaburra

Denomination: $1, $2, $10, $30

Metal Composition: 99.99% silver

Total Weight: 31.635g, 62.770g, 312.347g, 1002.502g


The first one ounce Silver Kookaburra was issued in 1990 by the Perth Mint, the Kookaburra come in a number of different weights from 1oz to the large 1kilo silver bullion coin.

The Silver Kookaburra have been released as silver proofs and gilded silver bullion coins and they do come in a variety of different privy mark types. The Silver Kookaburra is one of the most collected bullion coins on the market for collectors to buy.

Vienna Philharmonic

Purity: 99.99% silver

Austrian Vienna Philharmonic

Denomination: €1.5

Metal Composition: 99.99% silver

Total Weight: 31.103g


The Silver Vienna Philharmonic was first released in 2008, the Silver Philharmonic has a €1.50 face value to them and has a silver purity of .999, and each coin weighs 31.103 grams or one ounce.

The coin generaly features a harmonious design of musical instruments representing the world famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra on the reverse of the coin, and the image of the great organ in the Golden Hall in Vienna's concert hall (Musikverein) on the obverse. The design of the Silver Vienna Philharmonic is identical to the gold philharmonica that have been produced since 1989.

Silver Maple Leaf

Purity: 99.99% silver

Silver Maple Leaf

Denomination: $5

Metal Composition: 99.99% silver

Total Weight: 31.1g


The first one ounce Silver Maple Leaf was issued in 1988 by the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM), the design is a continuation of that first concevied for the gold maples in 1979. All Silver Maples have a $5 face value to them and have a silver purity of .9999 the highest of all the types of silver bullion on the market today, each coin weighs 31.1 grams or one ounce.

The coin generaly features a maple leaf on the reverse of the coin and a image of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.

Mexican Libertad Coins

Purity: 99.99% silver

Mexican Libertad Coins

Denomination: 1 Onza

Metal Composition: 99.99% silver

Total Weight: 31.6g


The first of the modern one ounce Silver Libertad was issued in 1982 by the Banco de Mexico, but a re-design occurred in 1996. The Libertad has a purity of .999 silver and weighs 31.6 grams or one ounce, it was first minted in the 1949. Though it was discontinued for decades after that, it has since resumed production in 1982.

The coin generally features the coat of arms of Mexico of an eagle with a snake in its mouth on the reverse of the coin, and the image of the Independence Angel in front of a landscape of two volcanoes on the obverse.

Perth Mint Certificates

Purity: N/A

Perth Mint Certificates

Denomination: N/A

Metal Composition: N/A

Total Weight: N/A


The Perth Mint Certificate Programme allows investors, savers and pension holders to own investment grade gold, silver and platinum bullion which is stored in vaults in the Perth Mint of Western Australia (est. 1899).

The bullion is stored in a government mint and insured by Lloyd's of London. The programme is fully guaranteed by the Government of Western Australia which enjoys the highest AAA rating from Standard and Poor's.

Other Bars and Rounds

Purity: N/A

American Platinum Eagle

Purity: 99.95% platinum

American Platinum Eagle

Denomination: $10, $25, $50, $100

Metal Composition: 99.95% platinum

Total Weight: 3.112 g, 7.780 g, 15.560 g, 31.120 g


The American Platinum Eagle is the official platinum bullion coin of the United States. The coins were first released by the United States Mint in 1997. It is offered in 1/10, 1/4, 1/2, and 1 troy oz varieties and consists of .9995 fine platinum. The American Platinum Eagle is authorized by the United States Congress and is backed by the United States Mint for weight and content.

Proof and uncirculated versions of the coins are also made for coin collectors. The proof and uncirculated American Platinum Eagles are unique in the fact that they are the only U.S. bullion coins that have a yearly alternating design on the reverse.

Australian Platinum Koala

Purity: 99.95% platinum

Australian Platinum Koala

Denomination: $5, $15, $25, $50, $100

Metal Composition: 99.95% platinum

Total Weight: 1.571 g, 3.137 g, 7.815 g, 15.605 g, 31.185g


The Platinum Koala is an Australian platinum bullion coin minted by the Perth Mint and is the most famous series of platinum coins of Australia. The Platinum Koala is notionally legal tender, that is a legal means of payment (in Australia).

On 18 June 1987, the Australian Government approved the minting of platinum and silver coins. This decision was made based on the success of gold coins issued a year earlier. The minting of the coin began in September 1988 in Perth and in 1989 the Platinum Koala arguably became the world’s "largest selling and first international tradeable investment coin".

Platinum Maple Leaf

Purity: 99.95% platinum

Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf

Denomination: $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50

Metal Composition: 99.95% platinum

Total Weight: 1.55g, 2.07g, 3.12g, 7.78g, 15.55g, 31.1g


The Platinum Maple Leaf is a platinum coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint between 1988 and 2002, and reintroduced in 2009 (1 oz only). The coin was offered in 1/20 oz, 1/15 oz (in 1994 only), 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, and 1 oz denominations, all of which are marked as containing .9995 pure platinum.

The coins have legal tender status in Canada, but as is often the case with bullion coins, the face values of these coins (C$1, C$2, C$5, C$10, C$20 and C$50) are purely symbolic and do not reflect their true value.

Platinum Isle of Man Noble

Purity: 99.95% platinum

Platinum Isle of Man Noble

Denomination: 1/20oz, 1/10oz, 1/4oz 1/2oz, 1oz

Metal Composition: 99.95% platinum

Total Weight: 1.55g, 3.12g, 7.78g, 15.6g, 31.119g


The Manx Noble is a platinum bullion coin minted by the Pobjoy Mint from 1983 to 1989. Nobles are legal tender, but do not have a value associated with any currency (like the gold Krugerrand). Instead the value of a Noble is equal to its platinum content.

The obverse shows Queen Elizabeth II with the text Isle of Man and Elizabeth II in capitals. The reverse shows a viking ship with the denomination and the platinum content with the words Platinum fine.

Perth Mint Certificates

Purity: N/A

Perth Mint Certificates

Denomination: N/A

Metal Composition: N/A

Total Weight: N/A


The Perth Mint Certificate Programme allows investors, savers and pension holders to own investment grade gold, silver and platinum bullion which is stored in vaults in the Perth Mint of Western Australia (est. 1899).

The bullion is stored in a government mint and insured by Lloyd's of London. The programme is fully guaranteed by the Government of Western Australia which enjoys the highest AAA rating from Standard and Poor's.

Other Bars and Rounds

Purity: N/A

Palladium Maple Leaf

Purity: 99.95% palladium

Palladium Maple Leaf

Denomination: 1oz

Metal Composition: 99.95% palladium

Total Weight: 31.650g


Available in a one-ounce format, the palladium coin presented an alternative to the Platinum Maple Leaf (which had been discontinued in 1999). During the testing process for the palladium coin, coins were tested on two different palladium blanks.

These blanks were known as lots "A" and "B". From these blanks, 290 test coins were struck. These coins were struck with a mint mark, attesting to their authenticity. All test coins struck from lot A were identified with an "A" mint mark, and all coins struck from lot B were given a "B" mint mark.

Other Bars and Rounds

Purity: N/A

Proofs – The “Gold” Standard

You probably noticed the word “Proof” appeared several times on the list of permissible precious metals. National Gold Group recommends proofs because, unlike regular coins, proof coins are struck using a special, high-quality minting process that results in a better looking coin (known as high relief), making them especially sought after by collectors and investors alike. Also, their increased scarcity generally causes them to outperform their regular counterparts. Another reason we recommend proofs is because of a long history of certain government actions and regulations concerning precious metals.

proof gold silver coins
Proof gold and silver has a limited supply.
Each proof set is delivered to your government required third party storage facility
with its own official U.S. Mint Certificate of Authenticity.

The US government has actually made it illegal to own precious metals (specifically gold and silver) three times during its history, the most recent being in 1933 (which wasn’t fully repealed until 1997). Congress has repeatedly decided that owning precious metals is a privilege, not a right, and Congress, with the permission of the Courts, reserves the right to confiscate precious metals from citizens at any time. However, US law requires the government provide a payment of “just value” for anything it confiscates from private citizens. In other words, the government can force you to sell your metals to them and it will decide how much to pay you.

If that were to happen, precious metals without numismatic value would be confiscated and the government would pay fair market value. Proof coins would be infinitely more complex to confiscate because of all the non-market factors that add numismatic value. Providing fair value for proof coins would have to take all of those factors into account, which would create a logistical nightmare for the government, so Congress has historically taken the easy way out and exempted proof coins from confiscation. For that reason, we recommend our clients hold proofs in their Precious Metals IRAs to secure their investments as much as possible against government confiscation.

This may sound like a lot of legal maneuvering, so let’s use an example assuming that you and your neighbor each own $10,000 worth of gold coins. You own proofs and your neighbor has bullion. One day the government issues a confiscation order. Your neighbor hands over his gold and gets $10,000 cash in return. On the other hand, you get to keep your $10,000 worth of proof coins, which continue to grow in value over the years. Though your neighbor now has $10,000 cash in hand, he has lost the entire future value of his investment. What does that mean for your retirement accounts? Well, we saw in the last section how cash tends to perform against precious metals, (with the dollar declining by 11% in only five years) so you can imagine what will happen to your poor neighbor’s investments while yours is still backed by gold!

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