FAQ about Precious Metals

Because we offer many fractional platinum products, as tiny as 1 gram weight, investors do not need a full ounce worth of cash to get started.

Right here on our website, of course. Wall Street metals IRA offer a wide variety of quality physical platinum coins and bullion products at the lowest prices in the industry. Browse some of our selection at the links below

Please note that Wall Street Metals is the only major retailer in the industry currently offering FREE SHIPPING on all orders to the United States. This allows our customers to keep their transaction fees on platinum bullion purchases to an absolute minimum.

Platinum is measured in troy ounces. Each troy ounce contains about 31.1034768 grams which are slightly higher than a standard ounce which is only 28 grams.

There are 32.151 troy ounces in one kilogram of platinum.

Gold and silver bullion are very competitive markets these days. Online dealers may offer buyers some advantages over local coin shops. One big potential advantage is lower prices. An online dealer does not have the overhead a brick-and-mortar coin store does. Because an online dealer typically has lower overhead, they can offer products at lower premiums and still make a profit. In addition, online dealers will often have vastly larger selections than a local coin store.

The gold/silver ratio represents the price relationship between gold and silver. Some investors will analyze historical gold/silver ratios to see if the current ratio means gold or silver are under or overpriced relative to each other.

Gold bullion is available in the form of coins, rounds, and bars. Gold coins are different from the other two options in that they are produced only by government mints and carry a face value in their country of origin. Many countries throughout the world produce their own gold coins containing a wide range of designs and sizes. Gold bars and rounds are produced by private mints and are usually found in a wider selection of sizes than that of coins.

Gold is always measured by the troy ounce, which is equivalent to about 31.103 grams. This standard of measurement was created in France during medieval times and was later adopted by the United States in 1828 for standard coinage. A troy ounce is slightly heavier than a “regular” ounce, which weighs only 28 grams.

There are 32.151 troy ounces in one kilogram of gold.

An assay is a certificate or encasing that guarantees the purity and authenticity of the accompanying gold piece. Assays typically include a serial number, which will match the serial number imprinted on the bar. Assays will also include a signature by the official assayer of the piece.

Gold and silver bullion are very competitive markets these days. Online dealers may offer buyers some advantages over local coin shops. One big potential advantage is lower prices. An online dealer does not have the overhead a brick-and-mortar coin store does. Because an online dealer typically has lower overhead, they can offer products at lower premiums and still make a profit. In addition, online dealers will often have vastly larger selections than a local coin store.

The gold/silver ratio represents the price relationship between gold and silver. Some investors will analyze historical gold/silver ratios to see if the current ratio means gold or silver are under or overpriced relative to each other.

Mint State (MS) The numerical grades MS-60 through MS-70, used to denote a business strike coin that never has been in circulation. A Mint State coin can range from one that is covered with marks (MS-60) to a flawless example (MS-70).

• Uncirculated (MS-60, 61, 62): An uncirculated coin with noticeable deficiencies, generally either an overabundance of bagmarks, a poor strike, or poor luster.
• Select Uncirculated (MS-63): An uncirculated coin with fewer deficiencies than coins in lower uncirculated grades. In general, this will be an uncirculated coin with relatively ordinary eye appeal. Select Uncirculated is sometimes used to refer to a coin grading MS-62.
• Choice Uncirculated (MS-64): An uncirculated coin with moderate distracting marks or deficiencies. These coins generally have average to above average eye appeal.
• Gem Uncirculated (MS-65, 66): An uncirculated coin with only minor distracting marks or imperfections. At this point, mint luster is expected to be full, although toning is quite acceptable.
• Very Fine (VF): The coin will have medium to light wear overall, and all general details will be visible. As a rule of thumb, for seated coins, Barber coins, Liberty Nickels, and Indian Head Cents, all seven letters of LIBERTY will be visible and strong.
• Extremely Fine (XF): The coin has light wear over the high points only. There may be some traces of mint luster. Also commonly abbreviated as EF.
• About Uncirculated (AU): The coin has wear ranging from extremely light to only a trace of friction on the highest points, along with medium to nearly full luster.
• Brilliant Uncirculated ( BU): A coin described as BU means the coin is in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, meaning the coin has not been circulated and shows no signs of wear.

While both use a 70-point grading scale and offer a guarantee of authenticity, their grading philosophies differ.

PCGS is known for its strict grading standards and technical focus, while NGC takes a more holistic approach that considers the historical significance and rarity.

Types of retirement accounts eligible for rollover or transfer into a Precious Metals IRA include 401(k) 403(b), Pensions and Thrift Savings Plan accounts. You can even roll over funds from a Roth retirement account into a Roth Precious Metals IRA, or perform a Roth conversion when rolling over from a 401(k) or similar account into a Roth Precious Metals IRA

Our minimum order value for Home Delivery or Precious Metals IRA orders is $500.

Yes, an individual is allowed to have more than one IRA account. However, your total yearly contribution will remain at the same maximum no matter how many IRAs you have.

You can liquidate or take possession of your metals at any time. However this is considered a distribution and there may be tax implications involved. We recommend speaking with a tax professional before making this decision.

No. As part of the IRS’ rules regarding precious metals IRAs, we, as the dealer, MUST ship the products to an approved IRA depository, who then holds the metal until the time you are ready to liquidate the position.

Yes, you may be subject to IRA contribution limits depending on your type of IRA and income levels. Please consult with your IRA custodian to learn of any contribution limits you may be subject to.

Most depositories provide full accounting and reporting services to ensure your metals are safe and accounted for. Some have a client portal you can access anytime, and some provide quarterly statements of Account Holders metals.

We do not provide investment advice, but many of our clients prefer self-directed precious metals IRAs because they are backed by real, physical, segregated metal, vs. an ETF like GLD which is only backed by a pool of gold holdings and positions.

To qualify as an IRA-approved product, precious metals must meet minimum fineness levels. The American Gold Eagle is the only exception to the following numbers. Minimum gold fineness: .995. Minimum silver fineness: .999. Minimum platinum fineness: .9995. Minimum palladium fineness: .9995. Any products falling outside of these ranges, excluding American Gold Eagles, are not approved for IRA contributions. Examples of non-approved precious metals products include pre-1933 gold, gold Krugerrands, and 90% US silver coins.

The first step to investing in a precious metals IRA is to open an account with an IRA Custodian of your choice. Second step fund the account. Third step once your account is funded, your IRA custodian will notify us you have funds available and intend to use them to purchase coins for your IRA from Wall Street Metals. You are now ready to begin investing in precious metals through your IRA. Wall Street Metals will email you the forms your IRA custodian requires to be completed.  These must be signed by both parties (precious metals dealer & Account holder).

No, when performed correctly, a rollover or transfer of assets into a Precious Metals IRA takes place with no taxes or penalties.

This will vary based on which custodian you choose. It can take 2-4 business days to open your account once they receive your application. After your account is set up you will then have to fund it.

In the case of a 401(k) rollover, your funds are generally paid directly to you. Once you have the funds in your possession you have 60 days to transfer them into your new self-directed IRA account. If you do not do so within this 60-day period, you may be required to pay taxes. In order to fully understand these rules, we recommend talking to a tax advisor before transferring any IRA funds.

With the mounting global economic crisis and our domestic debt and deficit issues, many savvy investors are converting 401(k) monies into precious metals, especially gold. In order to do so, you must first you must check the terms and conditions of your existing accounts. If they do not allow for gold and other precious metals investments it may necessitate rolling your funds into a self-directed IRA. Keep in mind that some plans have roll-over penalties and others do not allow accrued dollars to be moved at all unless an exemption is cited like leaving employment or financial hardship. The key is to get the funds released and set up an IRA with the option to purchase precious metals. Smart investors are placing both physical gold and silver in their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). Gold and silver have become important options for hedging against increasingly likely global economic collapse.

Investors can expect to see significant tax savings by investing in precious metals using an IRA vs. investing outside an IRA. To learn more about the tax benefits of using a Traditional or Roth IRA to invest in physical precious metals.

Yes. Your self-directed IRA custodian can help you arrange to rollover or transfer your existing IRA into a precious metals IRA.

Wall Street Metals works with all major Self-Directed IRA custodians.

No. Our only part of the IRA contribution process is selling the actual metal to the custodian, which we do at our normal rates with no commissions or surcharges added.

Wall Street Metals accepts payment by Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express & Discover), Check, Wire Transfer & ACH.

Most banks charge about $20-$35 for wire transfer service. To avoid your bank surcharge, choose ACH instead.

Note that there is a 3% surcharge when paying via Credit Card which is added at checkout.

Bank wire payments have a $250,000 maximum. Select “Bank Wire/ACH” as your payment method at checkout. On your order confirmation page, you will see our Bank Wire/ACH transfer instructions and account information. These will also be emailed to you. Please take these instructions to your bank and initiate your Bank Wire/ACH transfer within two (2) banking day of order placement to lock in sales price. Most banks charge about $20-$35 for wire transfer service. To avoid your bank surcharge, choose ACH instead. Bank wires usually take about half a business day to be received. You will be sent an email confirmation upon receipt of your bank wire or ACH payment.  We will then begin preparing your order for shipment.  An email notification will be sent when your order ships within 3 business days via Fed Ex or USPS from our Delaware Depository.

No, credit card needed on file for wire transfer or ACH payments. Wire transfer/ACH must be done within 2 business days from placing order to lock in sale price.

There are no additional taxes or processing fees at checkout.

The Lower 48 states only. Our precious metals insurance carrier only covers USA (excluding Alaska & Hawaii)

No, our precious metals insurance carrier (Lloyd’s Of London) covers USA only (excluding Alaska & Hawaii)

When you will receive your order depends primarily on three factors:

When we receive your payment (wires & ACH must be initiated/sent by you) Please note that you will receive a Paid email once your payment is received.

Holding period after cleared payment. Depending on your payment method, we will hold the order once payment is received and cleared. The hold periods by payment method are listed in checkout and in your confirmation email.

Shipping method and transit time. FedEx & USPS will be used. Tracking will be emailed to you 3 business days after payment processed.

Orders are shipped in inconspicuous packaging via either FedEx or USPS.*  Our shipping policy, which is based on order size. All shipments have tracking #, are fully insured & require a signature upon delivery.

All orders require a signature for delivery. Please note, per our Terms and Conditions, once a package shows delivered, our responsibility ends. Please be available and attentive to receive the package when the courier arrives. Due to COVID 19, couriers are not always getting the signature.

We will notify you by email once your order ships with carrier & tracking details.

We do not ship to US territories. Due to special requirements set by the postal systems & our precious metals insurance carrier, we are unable to ship outside of U.S. states.

Due to special requirements set by the postal systems, we are unable to ship outside lower 48 states.

We fully insure all shipments. Should anything happen while your package is in transit to you, it will be covered by our Lloyd’s Of London insurance policy. If we determine the package is lost or damaged, we file a claim. We reserve the right to re-ship your items or refund your money at our discretion.