APMEX, the American Precious Metals Exchange, is one of the largest online marketplaces for buying and selling gold, silver, and other precious metals. It is based in Oklahoma City, OK, and has been in business since 1999, building an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Because of its size and reputation, you might be considering using APMEX to buy gold and other precious metals as part of a retirement portfolio. Here’s what you need to know about APMEX, including whether it offers IRA rollovers, whether you can store your investment with them, how much they charge for shipping, and even what metals are available through APMEX.
APMEX Reputation & Background
APMEX is an online retailer of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars. The company also offers investment options in rare coins and international currencies. The company has been in business for over 22 years. Unfortunately, APMEX does not offer precious metal IRAs.
With more than 10,000 products available for sale on its website and more than $10 billion in sales since it opened, APMEX is a significant player in the precious metals marketplace.
American Precious Metals Exchange Products and Services
Precious Metals
APMEX has one of the largest selections of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars. The company has investment products from the American, Swiss, Mexican, Austrian, Bavarian, Chinese, Israeli, Czech, New Zealand, French, UK, South African, and Canadian mints. These are some of the company’s best sellers:
Gold
One-gram PAMP Suisse Lady Fortuna bar
One-ounce American Gold Eagle coin
One-ounce Canadian Maple Leaf coin
One-ounce Great Britain Britannia coin
One-ounce South African Krugerrand coin
One-ounce Australian Kangaroo coin
One-quarter-ounce Austrian Philharmonic coin
One-ounce Chinese Panda coin
Silver
One-ounce bar
Ten-ounce PAMP Suisse bar
One-ounce American Eagle coin
One-ounce Canadian Maple Leaf coin
One-ounce Armenian Noah’s Ark coin
One-ounce Austrian Philharmonic coin
One-ounce Australian Swan coin
Two-ounce Canadian Creatures of the North Werewolf coin
Platinum
One-ounce Canadian Maple Leaf coin
One-ounce American Eagle coin
One-ounce Great Britain Britannia coin
One-ounce Australian Kangaroo coin
Palladium
One-ounce PAMP Suisse bar
One-ounce American Eagle coin
One-ounce Canadian Maple Leaf coin
Although APMEX doesn’t offer precious metal IRAs, many of their precious metal coins and bars are eligible for IRA accounts. Nevertheless, it is best to confirm whether these assets are IRS-approved before purchasing them for a precious metal IRA account.
Currencies
Collectors of world currencies will be delighted to hear that APMEX has a wide spread of investment options. The company offers options from all over the world, including:
U.S. Federal Reserve Bank Notes
Africa
Asia
Central America and the Caribbean
Europe
Middle East
Rare Coins
Like the wide range of precious metal options, APMEX also offers a variety of rare coins to invest in. These include silver dollars, ancient and medieval coins, vintage Mexican coins, historical European coins, and American coins. Some popular items include:
Ancient Greek coins
Roman Republic coins
Ancient Asian coins
1794 to 1978 U.S. Silver Dollars
1959 and prior Mexican gold Pesos
APMEX Fees and Costs
APMEX has a minimum investment amount of $2,000 for its precious metal IRAS. If you choose to store the precious metals in your IRA with APMEX, you will be charged a fee.
The annual storage will vary based on the amount you have invested in your portfolio. You can find the detailed list of fees according to your investment value below:
Portfolio value
Storage rate
Annual fee
Monthly fee
$25,000
0.55%
$180
$15
$50,000
0.55%
$275
$22.92
$75,000
0.55%
$412.50
$34.38
$100,000
0.55%
$550
$45.84
Up to $1,000,000
0.55%
Contact a representative
Contact a representative
Up to 10,000,000
0.50%
Contact a representative
Contact a representative
Over $10,000,000
0.45%
Contact a representative
Contact a representative
Lastly, the company does charge for shipping. All orders over $199 include free shipping. Orders below $199 or Citadel orders below $500 are charged a $9.95 shipping fee.
American Precious Metals Exchange Pros and Cons
Like any financial service company, APMEX has its advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
Several payment options
Established company
Large selection
Online orders
Cons
Delivery issues and delays
Customer service and support complaints
No precious metal IRAs
How To Get Started With APMEX
To buy precious metals from APMEX, consumers can begin by calling the company directly. A company representative will help you open an account and purchase your precious metals.
Conversely, clients can purchase their assets online by creating a profile. Once you have registered, you can view the company’s catalog online and choose the metals you wish to purchase. Once the transaction is complete, the precious metals can either be shipped directly to your home or a depository of your choice. APMEX currently partners with Citadel Global Depository Services.
APMEX Reviews, Ratings, and Complaints
APMEX has several mixed reviews on multiple consumer rating sites. Many consumers have filed complaints regarding shipping delays and slow customer service and support. Others are not pleased with the high fees associated with shipping and buybacks.
Nevertheless, APMEX reviews on the BBB (Better Business Bureau) show it was accredited back in 2004 and holds an A+ rating.
The company has been in business for over 20 years, building a reputation for customer service, product variety, and overall reliability. Many customers and industry experts vouch for their authenticity and trustworthiness, making APMEX a likely trusted source for buying and selling precious metals.
Does APMEX Offer IRA Rollovers?
Unfortunately, APMEX does not offer any precious metal IRA services. Nevertheless, consumers can purchase from their wide selection of IRS-approved gold, silver, platinum, and palladium assets.
Can I Store My Investment With APMEX?
Yes, you can store your investments with APMEX through a Citadel account. For example, when you buy your precious metals from APMEX, you will pay Citadel, and they will transfer your items to a secure depository.
Does APMEX Require a Minimum Gold IRA Order?
APMEX does not offer any IRA services; therefore, they do not have a minimum order amount. However, the company does have a $2,000 minimum for all other precious metal investments.
How Much Does APMEX Charge for Shipping?
For orders over $99, shipping is free. However, orders below $99 will include a $9.95 shipping fee.
What is the Difference Between Investing in a Precious Metals IRA and Owning a Precious Metal ETF?
Exchange-traded funds are used among traders and investors who frequently move in and out of markets. For example, precious metals are bought by those who want to hold onto their investments. You can eventually take possession of the physical metal if you own it, while an ETF is not a tangible item.
Is APMEX Reliable?
While most reviews seem to be positive on the Better Business Bureau, APMEX did receive negative reviews on TrustPilot, indicating that the company has engaged in some irresponsible behavior. Therefore, it is crucial to research every company you intend to work with before investing your money.
How Much of My Portfolio Should Be in APMEX Precious Metals?
Choosing how much of your funds to invest with APMEX is a completely personal decision. Some investors opt to use a large portion to buy APMEX’s gold and silver products, whereas some only invest a portion in precious metals. Nevertheless, keep in mind that APMEX requires a minimum investment of $2,000 for precious metal IRAs.
