Provider Comparison · Fees Verified · June 2026
Preserve Gold vs Augusta Precious Metals is primarily a comparison of fees, pricing transparency, and execution quality — not a difference in IRS eligibility. Both operate in the same self-directed IRA framework. The practical questions are: What are the total annual fees? What is the dealer’s spread over spot? What are the exit terms?Augusta provides a published fee example; Preserve Gold’s current schedule requires direct verification.
| Factor | Preserve Gold | Augusta Precious Metals |
|---|---|---|
| IRS eligibility rules | Same framework — verify product specifics in writing | Same framework — verify product specifics in writing |
| Custodian/storage transparency | Not verified as of 2026-06-13 — requires current fee schedule | Published example fee sheet available |
| Setup/annual fee example | Not verified as of 2026-06-13 | $50 + $125 + $100 storage = $275 year 1; $225 recurring |
| Dealer spread/premium | Must be verified from transaction documents | Disclosed in transaction materials (up to 14.5% common bullion; ~29% premium) |
| Buyback terms | Must be verified in writing | Must be verified in writing; not guaranteed |
The dealer name does not change the IRS rules. Both Preserve Gold and Augusta must operate within the same self-directed IRA framework for precious metals. That framework has two key requirements:
Taking possession of IRA-owned metals generally triggers distribution or tax consequences. IRA-owned metals are meant to be held by the IRA’s custodian and stored in an approved depository. The exact treatment depends on the facts — verify the IRS guidance and speak with a qualified tax professional before making any distribution decision.
Before funding either company, confirm in writing: the exact product name and form, the product’s fineness or purity, the custodian used, the approved depository used, the storage method, and the full fee schedule.
Augusta publishes a fee sheet that provides a helpful baseline. According to its fee PDF (accessed 2026-06-13):
| Fee item | Year 1 | Year 2+ |
|---|---|---|
| Custodian application fee | $50 | — |
| Annual custodian fee | $125 | $125 |
| Sample non-govt depository storage | $100 | $100 |
| Total | $275 | $225 |
A difference of $50 or $100 per year looks small, but over a decade it adds up. For example, an annual storage difference of $50 becomes $500 over 10 years if fees stay stable. That is just one piece of the total cost stack. You still need to know the dealer premium over spot and the buyback terms.
For Preserve Gold, the key missing piece in this research pass is the current primary fee scheduleand any written transaction or admin fees. Without that, it is not possible to responsibly calculate the company’s true all-in cost.
Ask Preserve Gold for these documents before funding:
If a company will not provide those in writing, that is itself useful information about whether a fair comparison is possible.
The two most important storage questions are: (1) segregated or non-segregated? and (2) which depository holds the metal?
A useful example of how storage choice affects cost comes from Equity Trust’s fee FAQs (accessed 2026-06-13):
| Storage type | Annual cost (Equity Trust example) |
|---|---|
| Segregated storage | $160/year |
| Non-segregated storage | $110/year |
The $50 annual difference shows why storage structure should be visible before you sign. That decision becomes more meaningful the longer you hold the account.
Before you sign with either Preserve Gold or Augusta, make sure you have documented answers for every item on this list:
Augusta's published fee sheet (accessed 2026-06-13) shows a one-time setup example of $275 ($50 custodian application + $125 annual custodian + $100 sample non-government depository storage) and a recurring annual total of $225. These figures come from Augusta's published example using a specific custodian and storage arrangement — your actual account may differ.
As of 2026-06-13, Preserve Gold's current primary fee schedule was not confirmed from a Preserve Gold-authored primary document in this research pass. Before comparing the two companies, you must request Preserve Gold's current custodian fee schedule, storage fee schedule, and any written transaction or admin fees directly. Without those documents, an apples-to-apples comparison is incomplete.
Yes. The dealer name does not change the IRS rules. Both companies must operate within the same IRS framework for precious metals IRAs. IRA-owned metals must be held through an IRS-compliant custodian in an approved depository — not at home. The IRS explains that collectibles can be treated as distributions unless the bullion exception conditions are met, which includes both product eligibility and proper custody.
Using Equity Trust's published fee example as an illustrative reference: segregated storage costs $160/year and non-segregated costs $110/year. A $50 annual difference becomes $500 over 10 years if fees stay stable. That is before any other cost changes — it is just one line item in the full cost stack. Always confirm storage type and cost from the custodian that will actually hold your account.
IRA-owned metals are generally not supposed to sit in your home safe. Taking possession generally triggers distribution or tax consequences under IRA rules — the exact treatment depends on the facts and timing. If you think you can 'take the coins home later' and keep the IRA tax benefits, verify the rules first. This is one of the most common and costly misunderstandings in gold IRA marketing.