Goldco vs American Hartford Gold
Most comparisons of Goldco and American Hartford Gold focus on buying. This one starts at the other end: what happens when you want to sell, take a distribution, or move your metal. Goldco advertises a buyback program for IRA-approved coins; for American Hartford Gold, another precious metals company, check its current published terms directly, as we do not state its policies, fees, or products here.
Why Start With the Exit?
Physical metal is easy to buy and slower to sell than a fund share. When you eventually sell, the price you receive depends on the spot price at that moment, the buyer's spread, and any account or shipping costs. Those details are set by the terms you agree to at the start, which is why the selling side deserves attention before you buy.
There are three common exits, and each raises different questions for both companies.
Exit 1: Selling Metal Inside an IRA
When metal held in a self-directed IRA is sold, the cash goes back into the IRA, not to you. The custodian handles the transaction, and the depository releases the metal to the buyer. Because the proceeds stay in the account, a sale inside the IRA is generally not a taxable event on its own; tax typically applies when money is distributed, as IRS Publication 590-B explains.
Questions to put to both companies:
- Will you buy the metal back, and how is the buyback price determined?
- Is the buyback offer written into the purchase agreement, or is it a policy that could change?
- How long does a sale usually take from request to cash settling with the custodian?
- Are there custodian or depository charges for the sale or for closing the account?
Goldco advertises a buyback program for IRA-approved coins "at the highest price." That is Goldco's advertised offer; review the written terms before relying on it. Our page on the Goldco buyback program covers what to look for in the document.
Exit 2: Taking the Metal Itself
An IRA can distribute metal in kind, meaning the coins or bars are shipped to you rather than sold. The distribution is generally valued at fair market value on the date it occurs and reported by the custodian on Form 1099-R. Distributions before the IRS-defined age may also face an additional tax unless an exception applies; see the IRS page on early distributions.
Ask each company:
- Will you coordinate an in-kind distribution with my custodian, or do I arrange it myself?
- Who pays shipping and insurance from the depository?
- If I later sell the distributed coins, will you buy them back outside the IRA, and on what terms?
The mechanics are covered in more depth in our guide to in-kind distributions. If you will be subject to required minimum distributions, the timing matters too; see RMDs and precious metals.
Exit 3: Selling Metal You Bought Directly
Metal bought outside a retirement account is yours to sell to anyone. The IRS treats physical gold and silver as collectibles, and long-term gains on collectibles can be taxed at a maximum federal rate of 28%, according to IRS Topic 409. Keep your purchase invoices so you can establish your cost basis.
Questions for both companies on direct purchases:
- Do you buy back metal purchased directly from you, or only IRA metal?
- Do I need to ship it to you, and who covers insurance in transit?
- How quickly is payment sent after you receive the metal?
Goldco's advertised buyback applies to IRA-approved coins; ask Goldco how it handles direct-purchase metal. According to Goldco's website at the time of writing, direct purchases carry a $10,000 minimum; confirm current terms. Our page on how to sell gold covers selling to other dealers as well.
How Product Choice Affects the Exit
The products you buy shape what you can get back. Widely traded bullion coins, such as American Gold Eagles, Gold Maple Leafs, and American Silver Eagles, are recognized by many dealers, which can make them easier to sell. Themed or commemorative coins often carry higher purchase premiums, and dealers may not pay that premium back. Goldco lists both standard bullion and many themed coins, so ask the premium and the expected buyback basis on each item before choosing.
A Simple Exit Worksheet
Before deciding between the two companies, fill this out for each:
- Buyback offered? In writing? For IRA metal, direct metal, or both?
- How is the buyback price calculated relative to spot?
- Costs to sell or close the account (company, custodian, depository).
- Support offered for in-kind distributions.
- Typical settlement time.
Then compare those answers alongside the buying-side criteria in our scorecard for comparing precious metals companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a buyback offer mean the company must buy my metal?
Only to the extent the written terms say so. Read the agreement and ask whether the offer is a commitment or a policy.
Can I sell IRA metal to a different dealer?
Generally the custodian must handle the sale, and the buyer must work with the custodian and depository. Ask your custodian which buyers it can transact with.
Is selling gold inside an IRA taxed?
A sale that keeps the proceeds inside the IRA is generally not taxed at that point. Distributions from the IRA are where tax usually applies, as described in IRS Publication 590-B.
Which company pays more on buybacks?
We do not know and do not compare quotes. Ask both for their written buyback terms and compare them.