Provider Comparison · Fees Verified · June 2026
American Bullion vs Goldco: American Bullion states a $25 setup fee and a $160 annual account fee. Goldco’s FAQ states to expect approximately $50 setup, $80 annual management, and $100–$150 annual storage. The biggest issue is usually not the annual fee — it is the all-in cost: dealer premium/spread + custodian + storage + exit terms. Without those four numbers, you cannot compare these companies fairly.
Before comparing costs, confirm the account structure is compliant. IRS rules for precious metals in retirement accounts are strict. Certain bullion must be held by a bank or approved non-bank trustee with physical possession at the depository. If the structure is wrong, the transaction can become a taxable distribution.
Two key consequences of non-compliance:
This is why “gold IRA” should never be treated like a casual storage account. Verify in writing that: (1) the exact product is IRS-eligible, (2) the custodian is on the IRS approved nonbank trustees list, and (3) metals are held in an approved depository — not at home.
Both companies publish fee information, but they do it differently. American Bullion lists specific IRA fee numbers. Goldco gives “expect to pay” ranges. The more itemized the disclosure, the easier it is to test against your actual quote.
| Fee item | American Bullion | Goldco |
|---|---|---|
| Setup fee | $25 | ~$50 |
| Annual management/admin fee | $160 | ~$80 |
| Annual storage fee | Varies; ask for schedule | ~$100–$150 |
| Fee format | Specific published figures | FAQ expectations/ranges |
What these numbers do not include:
Two Gold IRAs can have similar annual fees but very different total costs if the dealer pricing is different. The dealer premium/spreadis the difference between the dealer’s ask (purchase) price and the bid (sell) price — including all premiums and discounts. It directly affects how much metal you get and what you receive when you exit.
FINRA reports (accessed 2026-06-13) that victims in some physical-metals and SDIRA schemes suffered losses described as one-third to one-half of savings in reported cases, often tied to markups, fees, and commissions. That is why a careful comparison must focus on written numbers, not promises.
Be especially careful about product mix. Bullion, semi-numismatic, and numismatic or proof products can have very different pricing and liquidity. The CFTC advises that a standard bullion spread is typically 5–10%; specialty products can carry much wider spreads.
Request the following in writing from both companies:
| Cost item | What to ask for |
|---|---|
| Dealer premium/spread | The price above spot for each exact coin or bar |
| Custodian/admin fee | The custodian fee schedule |
| Storage fee | The depository storage schedule (segregated or not) |
| Wire/transaction fees | Any purchase, transfer, or liquidation charges |
| Buyback terms | Written buyback/sell schedule or pricing methodology |
If you cannot calculate the full cost from the documents provided, the quote is not complete enough to compare fairly.
A Gold IRA is not just about buying metals. You also need to know how you will sell them later and what pricing method applies. A vague “we offer buyback” claim is not enough if the bid-side pricing is unclear.
When asking both companies about buyback terms, find out:
American Bullion's FAQ states a $25 setup fee and a $160 annual account fee. It also notes that fees may vary at higher invested amounts and for segregated storage. These are a useful starting point for year-one and annual cost estimation, but you also need the dealer spread and storage schedule tied to the exact products you intend to buy.
Goldco's Gold IRA FAQ states to expect roughly $50 setup, $80 annual management, and $100–$150 annual storage depending on the arrangement. These are expected figures from an FAQ — not fixed charges — and they may vary by storage type and custodian setup. Ask for the exact fees tied to your account, your storage choice, and your custodian setup.
The dealer spread is the gap between the dealer's purchase price (ask) and the dealer's buyback price (bid). It affects how much metal you actually get for each dollar invested, and what you receive when you sell. FINRA reports that losses in some physical-metals and SDIRA schemes were one-third to one-half of savings, often tied to markups, fees, and commissions. This is why comparing only annual fees misses the bigger picture.
IRS rules for precious metals in retirement accounts are strict. Certain bullion must be held by a bank or approved non-bank trustee with physical possession at the depository. If the structure is wrong — for example, if the account holder takes personal possession or the metal is classified as a collectible — the transaction can become a taxable distribution and may trigger the 10% additional tax for those under 59½.
Use a four-item worksheet for both companies: (1) Dealer premium/spread — the price above spot for each exact coin or bar. (2) Custodian/admin fee — the custodian fee schedule. (3) Storage fee — the depository storage schedule and whether it is segregated. (4) Buyback terms — a written buyback/sell schedule or pricing methodology. That worksheet is the only way to compare apples to apples.