IRA-Eligible Metals
Definition
IRA-eligible metals are precious-metals products that meet IRS purity rules for a retirement account: gold at least .995 fine, silver .999, and platinum and palladium .9995. They must also be approved, qualifying products held by a custodian.
Not every coin or bar can go into a retirement account; the rules turn on purity and approval.
Why it matters
If a product does not meet the fineness minimum or is not on the approved list, it generally cannot be held in a precious-metals IRA. Buying the wrong item can mean it sits outside your account, so confirming eligibility before purchase saves trouble later.
In practice
The purity thresholds are gold .995, silver .999, and platinum and palladium .9995. Certain coins are recognized by name, while many bars qualify if produced by an approved refiner and meeting the fineness rule. American Eagles are a notable case, recognized despite gold Eagles being slightly below .995.
Common confusion
Meeting the purity rule is not the whole story. Collectible and most numismatic coins are typically excluded, and the metal must be held by a custodian rather than at home. Eligibility is about both the product and how it is stored.