Augusta Precious Metals requires $50,000 to open a gold IRA

Augusta Precious Metals is targeting retirement savers who want to hold gold or silver inside a tax-advantaged account, Fortune reported in its 2026 review. The key catch for investors is cost: Fortune said the company requires at least $50,000 to open a precious metals IRA.

Fortune described Augusta as a gold and silver dealer whose main business is helping customers set up precious metals IRAs, though it also sells coins, rounds and bars for non-IRA ownership. The company was founded in 2012, is based in Casper, Wyoming, and is led by CEO Isaac Nuriani, according to Fortune.

How the IRA process works

A precious metals IRA works like a traditional IRA in its tax treatment, but Fortune said investors generally need a self-directed IRA to hold alternative assets such as gold and silver. Fortune also noted that investors cannot personally store metals held in an IRA; the assets must be kept with an IRS-approved custodian.

According to Fortune, Augusta directs prospective customers first to educational materials, including guides on costs, risks and scams. The company then helps customers locate a custodian, transfer or roll over eligible retirement funds, and choose IRA-approved metals.

Fortune said the $50,000 minimum will usually need to come from existing retirement savings because annual new IRA contributions are capped, with the limit depending on age. The review said Augusta sells more than 40 coins, rounds and bars, most of them eligible for IRAs and marked as such on the company’s website.

• Fortune listed the 1-ounce Gold American Eagle coin among common IRA options.
• Fortune also cited the Gold American Buffalo 1-ounce BU coin and 1-ounce gold bullion bar.
• For silver, Fortune named the 1-ounce Silver Eagle coin and 1-ounce Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coin.

Ratings, pricing and buybacks

Fortune reported that Augusta had a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot and a 4.93-star rating with the Better Business Bureau. The review also said Augusta had no BBB complaints in the prior three years.

Pricing is less visible. Fortune said Augusta does not publish live metal prices on its website, so customers must call for current figures. Fortune said customer representatives are salaried and do not receive sales commissions, which the review linked to reports of a lower-pressure sales process.

Fortune said Augusta does not guarantee it will repurchase metals from customers, and warned that guaranteed buyback promises from U.S. precious metals dealers should be treated as a red flag. Even so, Fortune reported that Augusta has historically bought metals back from customers and publishes a policy page describing the program.

According to Fortune, Augusta says it often pays more for metals originally bought through the company than customers might receive elsewhere. Fortune said sellers should expect about 5% less than Augusta’s current selling price for the same product, and that Augusta does not charge a separate liquidation fee when buying back metals.

Fortune also described Augusta’s “Highest Buyback Guarantee,” under which a customer selling metals back to Augusta can cancel within 24 hours if another buyer offers more.

Who it may fit

Fortune said Augusta may suit investors who can meet the $50,000 minimum and want gold or silver rather than other metals. The review said investors seeking platinum or a lower account minimum would need to consider another dealer.

Customer comments cited by Fortune often praised Augusta’s staff for patience, clear explanations and a lack of aggressive sales tactics. Negative reviews, Fortune said, focused on difficulty getting hard copies of services, confusion over buyback expectations and the need to call for metal prices.

This story draws on original reporting from Fortune.