Augusta Precious Metals and A-Mark Precious Metals both deal in gold and silver. The overlap stops there. Augusta is a retail gold IRA specialist built around one core service: helping retirement investors transfer existing retirement savings into a self-directed precious metals IRA. A-Mark is a publicly traded wholesale conglomerate, founded 60 years ago, that moves billions of dollars in metals annually through more than 20 brands including JM Bullion.
Goldiew is a community-first precious metals platform built on verified user reviews. We researched both companies directly: crawling Augusta’s public website (May 14, 2026), cross-referencing Goldiew’s internal verified user review data for Augusta, and crawling A-Mark’s corporate site and Wikipedia’s published profile for the Gold.com rebrand details. We earn a commission from Augusta if readers sign up through our links. We earn nothing from A-Mark. Our Augusta assessment uses only facts published on augustapreciousmetals.com and is evaluated against IRS Publication 590-B standards for self-directed precious metals IRAs. We are not financial advisors; consult a licensed advisor before making retirement account decisions.
How We Evaluated Augusta and A-Mark (8 Criteria)
These two companies are not direct competitors in the gold IRA space. Augusta is a dedicated IRA dealer. A-Mark is a wholesale conglomerate. Applying a standard IRA evaluation framework to A-Mark isn’t a perfect fit, but it clarifies exactly where each company fits in a retirement investor’s decision. Here are the eight criteria we used and why each one matters.
Augusta Precious Metals: Full Review
Company background
Augusta Precious Metals opened in 2012. The company is led by CEO Isaac Nuriani and Director of Education Devlyn Steele. Headquarters are split between Beverly Hills, California and Casper, Wyoming, per augustapreciousmetals.com. Augusta focuses on precious metals IRAs and direct purchase of gold and silver for US residents. The company is privately held and not listed on any stock exchange.
Augusta’s brand is built around a single claim: an Education-First process. Instead of pressuring investors toward an immediate purchase, Augusta uses a LEARN / TALK / DECIDE structure. Visitors start with a free Gold IRA guide, then schedule a one-on-one web conference with a salaried educator, then decide whether to proceed. The sales staff are compensated on salary rather than commission, which Augusta cites as a structural reason for lower sales pressure during consultations.
This model is uncommon in the gold IRA industry, where commission-based sales incentives can push advisors toward unsuitable recommendations. Augusta’s salaried approach aligns the advisor’s interest with the customer’s rather than with transaction volume.
Gold IRA services in detail
Augusta’s core product is a self-directed precious metals IRA. The rollover process works as follows: the investor opens a new self-directed IRA account, transfers or rolls over funds from an eligible existing account (traditional IRA, Roth IRA, 401k, SEP IRA, TSP, 403b, 457b), selects IRS-approved metals, and has those metals held at an IRS-approved depository. Augusta coordinates with a qualified self-directed IRA custodian to handle account administration throughout this process.
A typical rollover takes four to eight weeks from initiation to a fully funded account, depending on the complexity of the sending institution’s transfer process. Augusta assigns a dedicated customer service representative who accompanies the client from initial setup through the life of the account, not just through the initial transaction.
Per IRS Publication 590-B, self-directed IRAs that hold physical precious metals must store the metals at an IRS-approved depository. Home storage of IRA-held metals is not permitted under IRS rules. Augusta’s representatives discuss specific depository options during the consultation.
Tax note: consult your tax advisor before initiating any rollover. The tax treatment depends on the account type (traditional vs. Roth), timing, and individual circumstances.
Fees and minimum investment
The industry-reported minimum investment to open an Augusta gold IRA is around $50,000 in eligible retirement funds. Money.com and Investopedia consistently cite this figure in their independent reviews of Augusta. Augusta does not publish this threshold on its homepage. If your eligible IRA or 401k balance is below $50,000, Augusta’s structure is likely not cost-effective for your account size. Birch Gold Group (industry-reported minimum around $10,000) or Noble Gold Investments (around $20,000) may be more practical starting points.
Augusta offers a multi-year fee waiver for qualifying rollover accounts. Current terms are reviewed during the free consultation; Goldiew does not publish specific dollar figures or year counts because those terms change. The structure covers the account setup fee, annual custodian fee, and depository storage fee for qualifying accounts during the waiver period. Confirm current terms with Augusta directly before making any decision based on fee expectations.
Past performance of gold or any precious metal is not a guarantee of future results. Nothing in this guide constitutes investment advice.
Trust signals and independent recognition
Augusta’s verified trust profile as of May 2026, based on our research:
- BBB: A+ rating, accredited since 2014, zero complaints on file, per augustapreciousmetals.com
- Money Magazine: Best Overall Gold IRA Company, 2022 through 2026 (five consecutive years), per Augusta’s site
- Investopedia: Most Transparent Gold IRA Company, 2022 through 2026
- Customer reviews: 4,000+ five-star ratings across Trustpilot, Google, and Consumer Affairs, per Augusta’s site
- Goldiew user reviews: 4.71 average from 7 verified, manually moderated reviews (Goldiew internal data)
The zero-complaint BBB record maintained since 2014 is significant. High-dollar IRA transactions regularly generate complaints against companies in this space. Augusta’s clean record across more than a decade is a meaningful signal of consistent customer handling, not just marketing copy.
Products available
Augusta offers IRS-approved bullion in all four metals eligible for self-directed IRAs under Publication 590-B: gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. Products include American Gold Eagles, Canadian Gold Maple Leafs, and bars meeting IRS fineness standards. Augusta offers both standard bullion and premium (proof) coins. Per its compliance standards, Augusta does not push premium proof over standard bullion for IRA purposes.
Who Augusta is NOT a good fit for
Augusta serves a specific investor profile. The company is likely not the right choice if:
- Your eligible retirement balance is below the industry-reported $50,000 minimum. Augusta’s high-touch model is not cost-effective for smaller accounts.
- You want to buy gold outside of a retirement account framework. Augusta does offer direct purchase, but the pricing and process are optimized for IRAs.
- You prefer a self-directed process with minimal phone contact. Augusta’s Education-First structure involves multiple conversations with educators and specialists. If you already know exactly what you want and prefer to move independently, the process may feel slow.
- You are not a US resident. Augusta serves all 50 states but not international clients.
- You need same-day or next-day account access. The rollover process takes four to eight weeks from initiation.
A-Mark Precious Metals (Now Gold.com): Full Profile
Company background
A-Mark Precious Metals was founded in 1965 by Steven Markoff as A Mark Coin Company, per its Wikipedia profile. Over six decades it grew from a coin dealer into one of the largest precious metals trading companies in the United States. CEO Gregory Roberts leads the company; Thor Gjerdrum serves as President, per Wikipedia’s published profile.
In 2014, A-Mark became a public company after being spun off from Spectrum Group International, trading on NASDAQ under the ticker AMRK. On December 2, 2025, the company rebranded as Gold.com, Inc. and transferred to the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker GOLD, per the company’s announcement. The A-Mark Precious Metals name continues to identify the wholesale trading division. Gold.com is now the parent entity. Headquarters are in Costa Mesa, California.
Business model: wholesale and institutional, not a retail IRA company
The most important fact for anyone comparing A-Mark to Augusta in the context of a retirement account: A-Mark’s primary business is wholesale and institutional precious metals trading. The company buys and sells physical metals at scale for dealers, refiners, mints, and financial institutions worldwide. Per gold.com, the company operates across direct-to-consumer retail, wholesale and trading, logistics and storage, minting and refining, collateralized lending, and auctions.
A-Mark’s own website explicitly notes that individual (retail) investors should proceed to JM Bullion for purchases, according to amark.com. The core A-Mark wholesale business is not built for the individual investor seeking a guided retirement account rollover. That is a structural reality, not a criticism; wholesale precious metals operations and retail IRA guidance are genuinely different businesses.
Retail division: JM Bullion and 20+ brands
Gold.com (A-Mark’s parent entity) operates more than 20 consumer-facing brands. The largest is JM Bullion, headquartered in Dallas, Texas. JM Bullion sells precious metals online directly to individual buyers and lists IRA-eligible products for gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. Other consumer brands in the Gold.com portfolio include GOVMINT, Goldline, Monex, Provident Metals, SilverGoldBull, Silver.com, and others, per gold.com.
JM Bullion does sell IRA-eligible metals. However, it does not offer the same full-service IRA rollover setup, dedicated account management, and education support that Augusta provides. Buying IRA-eligible metals through JM Bullion requires separately coordinating your own IRA custodian and depository arrangements, or using whatever setup process JM Bullion has in place at the time of purchase. These are materially different experiences for a first-time IRA buyer.
Scale and financial profile
A-Mark operates at a scale that dwarfs most retail gold IRA companies. The company reported $7.6 billion in annual revenue and $160 million in net income for fiscal year 2021, per Wikipedia. Gold.com’s portfolio of brands reportedly serves 4 million customers, per gold.com. The company has operated for 60+ years, a track record no retail gold IRA company matches simply because the industry in its modern form is younger than A-Mark itself.
Public company status adds accountability that private companies lack. As a NYSE-listed entity, Gold.com is subject to SEC reporting requirements, independent audits, and quarterly financial disclosures. Investors can access financial statements through SEC EDGAR filings, which provides a layer of transparency into operations that is not available for private companies like Augusta.
Gold IRA access through A-Mark’s ecosystem
A-Mark does not operate a dedicated gold IRA setup service for individual investors comparable to Augusta’s offering. The IRA access point for an individual working within A-Mark’s ecosystem is JM Bullion, which sells IRA-eligible metals but does not provide the structured rollover process Augusta provides.
If you are comparing A-Mark to Augusta specifically because you want to open a gold IRA, the two propositions are operationally different. Augusta will guide you through the entire process: account paperwork, custodian setup, rollover initiation, metal selection, and ongoing support. JM Bullion (the relevant A-Mark retail arm for IRA-eligible purchases) sells the metals, but the IRA setup infrastructure is not equivalent.
Trust signals for A-Mark
A-Mark’s (Gold.com’s) trust profile differs fundamentally from Augusta’s:
- Public company: NYSE: GOLD (formerly NASDAQ: AMRK since 2014). Subject to SEC reporting and independent audits.
- Operating history: 60+ years since 1965 founding.
- Revenue scale: $7.6 billion annual revenue (fiscal year 2021, per Wikipedia), indicating institutional depth and financial stability.
- BBB rating: Goldiew was unable to access A-Mark’s current BBB profile during our May 2026 research due to access restrictions. Check bbb.org directly for current status.
- Goldiew reviews: A-Mark’s wholesale operations are not within Goldiew’s review scope. JM Bullion has its own consumer review profiles on Trustpilot and other third-party platforms.
Who A-Mark is NOT a good fit for
A-Mark (Gold.com) is not the right choice if:
- You want a guided gold IRA setup with dedicated account management. A-Mark’s wholesale model does not offer this to individual investors.
- You are a first-time precious metals buyer who wants education before committing. The company assumes institutional buyers know their requirements.
- You want a single contact person walking you through the entire rollover process. That support structure is not available through A-Mark’s wholesale platform.
- You need IRS compliance guidance on precious metals IRA rules. That is core to Augusta’s offering; it is not a feature of A-Mark’s business model.
Augusta vs A-Mark: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criterion | Augusta Precious Metals | A-Mark / Gold.com |
|---|---|---|
| Business type | Dedicated retail gold IRA company | Wholesale and institutional precious metals conglomerate |
| Founded | 2012 (per Augusta site) | 1965 (per Wikipedia) |
| Gold IRA setup | Full-service: account opening, custodian coordination, rollover paperwork, dedicated ongoing support | Not a primary service. Retail arm (JM Bullion) sells IRA-eligible metals; no full-service IRA rollover support |
| Minimum investment | ~$50,000 in eligible retirement funds (industry-reported; confirm with Augusta) | Not applicable as a dedicated IRA company. JM Bullion has no published IRA minimum |
| Fee structure | Multi-year fee waiver for qualifying rollover accounts (confirm current terms with Augusta) | Wholesale spread model; JM Bullion charges spot price plus per-product premium. Not a comparable IRA fee structure |
| Onboarding process | Education-First: LEARN / TALK / DECIDE. One-on-one with salaried, non-commissioned educator | No structured IRA education process for individual investors |
| Public company | No (private) | Yes. NYSE: GOLD (formerly NASDAQ: AMRK). Public since 2014. SEC-regulated |
| BBB rating | A+ · Zero complaints · Accredited since 2014 (per Augusta site) | Not verified in Goldiew’s May 2026 research. Check bbb.org directly |
| Industry recognition | Money Magazine Best Overall Gold IRA 2022–2026; Investopedia Most Transparent 2022–2026; 4,000+ five-star ratings | NYSE listing; $7.6B revenue; 60-year operating history; 4M+ customers across brands |
| Best for | Retirement investors ($50k+) who want full-service guided gold IRA setup | Wholesale buyers, institutional traders, coin dealers, self-directed collectors |
Sources: augustapreciousmetals.com (May 2026), gold.com (May 2026), Wikipedia A-Mark Precious Metals profile, Goldiew internal data. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Consult your tax advisor before making any retirement account decisions.
Ready to Evaluate Augusta?
Which Company Is Right for You?
Use this framework to match your situation to the right company. This is not investment advice; it reflects what each company’s model is built for. Consult a licensed financial advisor before making any retirement account decisions.
Consider Augusta if you…
- Have $50,000 or more in an eligible retirement account (401k, traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, TSP, 403b, 457b)
- Want a company to guide you through every step of the rollover, from paperwork to metal selection
- Prefer to speak with an educator before making any financial commitment
- Value an A+ BBB zero-complaint record and five consecutive years of industry recognition from Money Magazine
- Are approaching or in retirement and focused on a long-term retirement account
- Want a dedicated account representative who stays with you after account setup
- Are a US resident (Augusta serves all 50 states)
Consider A-Mark / Gold.com if you…
- Are a professional coin dealer, refiner, or precious metals trader looking for wholesale pricing and scale
- Want to buy IRA-eligible bullion directly through JM Bullion and manage your own custodian arrangement independently
- Are an institutional investor or financial institution needing commercial-grade execution and logistics
- Prefer the oversight of a publicly traded company (NYSE: GOLD) with a 60-year operating history
- Are not looking for a guided IRA rollover process or educator support
What if my retirement balance is under $50,000?
Neither A-Mark nor Augusta is the right fit for accounts below the Augusta minimum. For lower balances:
- Birch Gold Group: industry-reported minimum around $10,000. A Goldiew-verified partner. Endorsed publicly by Ron Paul, Dan Bongino, and others. Founded 2011, headquartered in Iowa.
- Noble Gold Investments: industry-reported minimum around $20,000. A Goldiew-verified partner. Based in Encino, California. Noble markets industry experience going back to 2003.
Both are IRS-compliant gold IRA dealers with their own account setup processes. Consult your tax advisor before initiating any rollover to understand the tax treatment for your specific account type and circumstances.
For a broader comparison across all major gold IRA providers, see our gold IRA companies directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources and Research Notes
This guide was researched in May 2026. Facts were verified against the sources listed below. Company information changes; verify all material details with the company before making any financial decision.
- Augusta Precious Metals official website (crawled May 14, 2026)
- IRS Publication 590-B: Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)
- Wikipedia: A-Mark Precious Metals / Gold.com, Inc. profile (accessed May 2026)
- Gold.com corporate website (crawled May 2026)
- amark.com (crawled May 2026)
- JM Bullion (crawled May 2026)
- FINRA Investor Alert: Precious Metals Fraud