American Hartford Gold, based in Los Angeles, California, is a precious metals dealer that provides a wide range of assets, including silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars, available for direct purchase by individual investors.
Overview of American Hartford Gold
American Hartford Gold is among the largest gold retailers in the United States, providing an extensive range of investable gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars. Investors have the option to include these precious metals in their retirement accounts, helping to diversify their portfolios and guard against inflation.
Diversification is a key component of successful investing. While stocks, bonds, and cash are commonly used for portfolio diversification, precious metals like gold can also be valuable assets. American Hartford Gold provides opportunities for investors to add gold and other precious metals to their portfolios.
AHG primarily serves individuals with retirement accounts such as 401(k)s, 403(b)s, 457 plans, Thrift Savings Plans, and both traditional and Roth IRAs. For those looking beyond retirement accounts, AHG also offers a cash account option, enabling investors to buy and sell physical gold and silver assets that can be shipped directly to their homes.
American Hartford Gold is well-suited for investors looking to convert substantial portions of their retirement assets into gold or other metals, as the company may waive certain fees for larger initial deposits.
For investors who are uncertain about committing to gold, seeking more educational resources, or preferring a more digital and automated experience, another precious metal retailer from our best gold IRA guide might be a better fit.
How American Hartford Gold Works
American Hartford Gold IRA
American Hartford Gold provides several services for investors, with its primary offerings being a gold IRA and the option to buy and sell individual gold and silver coins, bars, and other precious metals.
Precious metal coins carry both the intrinsic value of the metal and additional value due to their unique country of origin and design. Investing in gold and silver bars is often simpler and more cost-effective, as bars typically come with lower premiums compared to coins. Some IRA-approved coins and bars include:
- Gold St. Helena 1 oz Boston Tea Party Coin (available in silver as well)
- Queen Elizabeth and Lion Gold Coin (also available in silver)
- Australia Wildlife 1/4 oz Gold Coin (also available in silver)
- Sunshine Minting 1 oz Gold Bar
- Silver Canadian Polar Bear & Cub Coin
- Austrian Philharmonic Silver Coins
- 100 oz Silver Bar
During the account setup process, American Hartford Gold will assist you in rolling over an existing retirement account to fund your new account. Eligible plans for rollover include a 401(k), 403(b), traditional IRA, Roth IRA, 457 plan, and Thrift Savings Plan. Alternatively, you can fund the account with cash via wire transfer.
As with traditional IRAs that invest in stocks and bonds, there is an annual contribution limit. For 2024, the limit is $7,000 if you are under 50, and $8,000 if you are 50 or older.
American Hartford Cash Account
A cash account with American Hartford Gold enables you to buy physical gold or silver directly from the company without the need to open an IRA. This option may be attractive to investors who prefer not to hold precious metals in their retirement accounts, wish to store them independently, or want to purchase amounts exceeding IRA limits.
If you decide to sell part or all of your holdings back to American Hartford Gold, simply call their service line to receive a price quote. AHG will then provide the necessary packing and shipping materials for your return.
How to Open an Account with American Hartford Gold
To open an American Hartford Gold IRA or cash account, you can call the number provided on their website. Once you complete the necessary paperwork via DocuSign, your account is usually set up within three to ten business days. If you’d like to avoid waiting on the phone, there is an intake form available on the website specifically for opening a gold IRA.
After your account is opened and funded, you can choose the metals that align with your portfolio and risk tolerance. You also have the option to schedule a complimentary meeting with a representative to explore the various metal offerings.
If you open an IRA, the metals will be shipped to a storage facility in your name. Conversely, if you open a cash account, American Hartford Gold will ship the metals directly to you.
American Hartford Gold Fees
American Hartford Gold imposes a $230 application fee and a $200 annual fee for storage, insurance, and custodian services. To begin investing with a cash account, a minimum investment of $5,000 is required, while a gold IRA requires a minimum investment of $10,000.
The prices of individual precious metal coins and bars can vary, so you will need to contact AHG for specific pricing information.
Pros and Cons of American Hartford Gold
Advantages of American Hartford Gold
- Minimum investment of $5,000 to open accounts
- Provides educational resources
- Includes a buyback commitment with no liquidation fee
- Offers free consultations
- Certain fees may be waived for larger initial deposits
Disadvantages of American Hartford Gold
Fees are not readily available on the website (Contact a representative or provide your contact information for more details)
High fees, including application, storage, and annual fees, may diminish potential gains
Trustworthiness of American Hartford Gold
American Hartford Gold holds an A+ rating and is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB uses a grading scale from A+ to F, indicating that AHG demonstrates excellent business practices and maintains positive interactions with its customers.
While ratings can vary among companies, the BBB evaluates all businesses by examining factors such as licensing information, advertising practices, government actions, and more.
Additionally, American Hartford Gold has no significant public scandals or lawsuits associated with it.
Alternatives to American Hartford Gold
American Hartford Gold is just one of several options for investing in precious metals. Let’s take a look at how AHG compares to other leading companies in the industry.
American Hartford Gold vs. Rosland Capital
Rosland Capital is a budget-friendly gold IRA provider that offers a similar selection of precious metal coins and bars as American Hartford Gold.
Both companies provide gold IRAs and the option to receive physical gold and other metals directly. Rosland Capital has a minimum purchase requirement of $2,000. Aside from slight differences in fees and minimum investment amounts, investors may find little distinction between Rosland and American Hartford Gold.
However, Rosland Capital is somewhat more transparent regarding its setup and maintenance fees compared to AHG. It charges a one-time setup fee of $50, an annual maintenance fee of $100, a storage fee ranging from $100 to $150, and a $40 fee for paper statements if you choose to receive them. Additionally, Rosland has a lower minimum purchase requirement.
American Hartford Gold vs. Goldco
Goldco is a reputable gold and silver dealer that offers a wide range of precious metal assets through self-directed gold and silver IRA options. Both companies provide an extensive selection of investable gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars.
Beginners may appreciate Goldco’s “education first” approach, which aims to enhance clients’ understanding of gold IRAs. They also offer a free gold IRA kit containing introductory information about IRAs, gold assets, and wealth protection. However, Goldco has a higher minimum investment requirement of $25,000.
In contrast, American Hartford Gold is a more cost-effective option, requiring only a $5,000 initial deposit to start investing. Additionally, investors with larger account balances may find American Hartford Gold appealing, as certain fees can be waived or reduced after consulting with an AHG representative.
Why You Can Trust Us: Our Review Process for American Hartford Gold
We assessed American Hartford Gold following Business Insider’s methodology for rating investment platforms. Our evaluation considered various factors, including account options, fees, customer service experience, and investment offerings, assigning ratings on a scale of 0 to 5. While some platforms are tailored for more experienced investors, others are designed for beginners. Our review of American Hartford Gold focused on its performance across these categories.
Business Insider’s Overall Rating for American Hartford Gold
Feature inside rating (out of 5)
Liquidity——————- 4.50
Customer Support——–4.75
Security——————–5.00
Ethics———————-5.00
Access——————— 3.75
Fees————————3.80
Investment Sections—–3.80
Overall rating————4.32
American Hartford Gold FAQs
What is American Hartford Gold and What Services Does It Provide?
American Hartford Gold is a precious metals dealer that allows individuals to invest in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars, helping them diversify their retirement portfolios or purchase directly through an AHG cash account. As a dedicated precious metal dealer and gold IRA platform, American Hartford Gold also provides a range of educational resources aimed at beginners looking to learn about investing in gold and other metals.
How Does American Hartford Gold Differentiate Itself from Other Precious Metal Dealers?
American Hartford Gold distinguishes itself from other precious metal dealers by being one of the top choices for gold IRAs, particularly for investors with large account balances. In addition to providing a competitive range of gold, silver, and other precious metals, the company allows investors with higher opening deposits to potentially waive or reduce some of their account fees after consulting with an AHG representative.
What Fees Are Associated with American Hartford Gold?
American Hartford Gold charges a $230 application fee and a $200 annual fee for storage, insurance, and custodian services. Additional fees may apply depending on account sizes and the specific precious metals held in your account. For further details, you will need to contact an AHG representative, as some fees may be waived or reduced based on your situation.
Is American Hartford Gold Suitable for Beginner Investors?
American Hartford Gold’s platform is generally suitable for anyone looking to invest in gold directly or through an IRA. However, beginner investors might find the website lacking in resources and pricing information. While purchasing precious metal coins and bars is relatively simple, you will need to contact a company representative to obtain pricing details.
