Bold Precious Metals Review for 2023

Bold Precious Metals is based out of Austin, Tx, and has a contact number of 1-866-454-Bold or email at support@boldpreciousmetals.com - check out their website at boldpreciousmetals.com

Bold is an online dealer retailing precious metals products. They ARE NOT a Gold IRA company and we'd not recommend you purchase from them for your Precious Metals IRA. If you are looking for a particular metal, collectible, numismatic, or even IRA-eligible coins or bars for your home consumption, then check out their website for more information.

Before we get started with Bold Precious Metals Review:

Determining which precious metals dealer is reputable and reliable for your investment needs is tough. The Plug aims to provide you with as much useful information as possible to shorten your decision-making process. The Best Gold or Silver IRA Dealers want to educate and inform their clients. We've broken down a list of the Top Gold and Silver IRA Companies for your review. 

Bold Precious Metals Company: Legit Business or Online Scam?

Investors are continuously dealing with companies with less than favorable reputations in the precious metals and coin-collecting dealer market. Selling precious metals, whether coins, rounds, numismatics, rare coins, or bars, is not easy for any company. Companies that are not niche focused and provide various products can open themselves up to negative experiences for the buyer and therefore questionable reputation in the market.

Bold Precious Metals has an average overall rating with The Plug at 3.5 out of 5 stars.

While they are a legitimate company doing business online, both on its website and on eBay, they have an overall mix of complaints, along with both positive and negative reviews. These have all factored into our opinion of the company and overall rating.

A typical coin retail storefront coin shops have products in stock and sell typically only what they have available in the store. But online retailers, like Bold Precious Metals, these types of dealers often have sources to purchase products from and therefore advertise products they don't often have in stock. This makes for a questionable transactional relationship if they are not being forthright with their customers that they need to source the product they are selling them. 

Most online dealers of precious metals have similar overall reviews and comments as that of Bold Precious Metals. One of our recommended online retailers Money Metals Exchange, see their review by clicking here, has similar overall positive and negative ratings. Many of these companies reviews indicate customers have bad experiences with shipping, customer service, canceling orders when prices increase, or receiving the product in good condition. Therefore, don't always take the word of the few reviews, make sure you examine all the reviews available to assess the business and use the information to be informed when buying. 

Who is Bold Precious Metals and What Services Do They Provide?

Bold was born out of a family's interest in precious metals and coin collecting in 2015. Starting from the education of the grandfather passed to his children and grandchildren the process of educating and collecting coins became a passion in the family that lead to starting Bold Precious Metals. 

While the Bold Precious Metals website doesn't specifically mention who owns or runs Bold, Ryan Cochran's LinkedIn page references him as the Owner of Bold Precious Metals.

"We are fully dedicated to helping you find the right products at great prices supported by excellent customer service and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Based in Austin, Texas, we stand behind every product we sell and are committed to earning your business each time you visit our store."

At Bold, their goal is to educate potential customers on precious metals and the benefits of metals to their portfolio. They mention in their bio that they "only source top quality products that we would be happy to buy back in the future". 

At the Bold Precious Metals website, you can buy metals; gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. They offer coins from the U.S. Mint along with other private and reputable sovereign government mints around the world. Private Mints are a viable source for gold and silver rounds and bars and many private mints offer a variety of decorative collector rounds for a collection. 

Dealing with rare coins and numismatics, Bold Precious Metals mentions they are members of the PCGS and NGC. These are two widely known and trusted organizations that authenticate coins and grade coins. While it's noted Bold's affiliation on their website, our independent search of the PCGS and NGC websites did not return the name Bold Precious Metals or Ryan Cochran's name. Therefore, we cannot verify this information, and investors or those looking to buy metals from this or any company should verify their knowledge of valuing and grading collector gold and silver coins before buying.

Product Shipping Services:

According to the BOLD website, any order under $750 will not require a signature upon delivery. Deliveries are USPS First Class and all orders above $750 will require a signature. Bold suggests a signature for every delivery, but notes that there is a small additional fee for the signature.

Transactions over $199 are eligible for free standard shipping. Any orders under $199 will be charged a shipping fee. 

Payment Options and Details:

Bold offers a variety of payment options. Their website has a specific flow of information for buyers' convenience. Here is a recap of that information:

• Credit Card - Payment Held 1 Day - Ships 1 Business day on receiving payment
• PayPal - Payment Held 1 Day - Ships 1 Business day on receiving payment
• Electronic Check - Payment Held 5 Business Days - Ships 5 Business days on receiving payment
• Paper Check - Payment Held 5 Business Days - Ships 5 Business days on receiving payment
• Bank Wire - Payment Held 2 Business Days - Ships 2 Business days on receiving

Also, a few additional pieces of information that will help you understand your payment and shipping. 

1. Orders are held until all presale and back-ordered items are fully received
2. Order history limits can increase with prior individual eCheck verification. 
3. New customers could be charged a 10% deposit, paid via credit card to hold the transaction. 

Make sure you check the terms and conditions for Bold to be knowledgeable and aware of any restrictions and transactional payment requirements. 

Secured Storage for Metals:

Currently Bond does not provide secured storage for your metals. When you purchase you will need to choose to have the metals home delivered or delivered to a secured vault or storage facility.

If you currently use and have an account with a precious metals depository, you can choose to have your metals delivered to that location versus shipping the metals to your home or business.

Bold does not specifically recommend any particular storage facility. If you are looking for a location to store your metals a good option would be Delaware Depository Service Company. We do not have an affiliation with this company, but they do work with several of the larger Gold IRA dealers. 

If you are purchasing through your SDIRA the depository needs to be approved. Many banks today will not allow you to store precious metals in their vaults or security box. Check out your bank's regulations to be certain of their requirements. 

Precious Metal Buy Back Program:

Bold will purchase the precious metals that you are looking to liquidate from your portfolio. When you are ready to sell you need to contact the company directly to discuss what you have available and if they are currently buying those products.

If they buy your metals, you will want to make sure you have a clear understanding of what they are offering, who is paying for shipping, who is securing the shipment, and how long until you get your money.

An option with Bold is you can get store credit versus payment. This would allow you to choose to purchase other metals for your portfolio.

Bold Precious Metals: What Products Are Available?

When shopping for precious metals, coins, collectibles, and numismatics, Bold Precious Metals offers a variety of options for you to choose from. With their affiliation with private and sovereign mints, they can offer coins and rounds from a variety of mints giving buyers a plethora of options.

Current Mints Bold has Gold and Silver metals available:

• British Royal Mint
• Perth Mint
• United States Mint
• Royal Canadian Mint
• Austrian Mint
• South African Mint
• Pobjoy Mint

Where to Buy Bold Precious Metals Products?

Looking to buy precious metals but don't know where to find them. Check out Bold's website by clicking here. Or if you are an eBay fan you can check out their listing by clicking here. 

Make sure you understand pricing, markup, and premiums for precious metals before you buy. When you check the Spot price of gold or silver make sure you use that as your base for non-numismatic coins. Then take the selling price and subtract the spot price based on the amount of gold or silver in the coin or round. The difference is the premium you are paying for that item. 

Gold or silver bars will typically have a lesser premium per troy ounce as the items are not nearly attractive to the end buyer. They are typically held for investment and investors looking to invest a significant amount into gold or silver will buy bars. 

Proof Coins will typically have the highest premiums. The minting process is more refined and they are sold in display cases or boxes. The premiums on bullion coins will be less than that of proofs and rounds, made by private mints, will typically have the lowest premium.

Premiums will also vary based on what the dealers have in their acquisition cost, the collectability of an item, and the availability of an item. 

Know and understand the differences and what premiums you are paying. Rarely will you sell your coins or rounds later and recoup the premiums you paid initially.

What is Gold Bullion?

Bullion refers to precious metals, such as gold, silver, platinum, or palladium, that are valued primarily for their metal content rather than their collectible or numismatic value. It is typically in the form of bars, coins, or ingots that are produced and traded for investment purposes.

1. Bars: Bullion bars, also known as ingots, are rectangular or square-shaped pieces of precious metal. They are typically produced in various weights, ranging from small fractional sizes to larger ones. Bullion bars are usually stamped with important information, such as the weight, purity, and the name of the mint or refiner.
2. Coins: Bullion coins are coins that are minted from precious metals, primarily gold, silver, platinum, or palladium. These coins are typically produced by government mints and have a face value assigned to them, although their intrinsic value based on the metal content often exceeds the face value. Bullion coins are highly recognized and sought after by investors for their purity and liquidity.
3. Rounds: Bullion rounds, also known as medallions or privately minted coins, are similar to bullion coins in appearance but are not legal tender. They are produced by private mints and may feature various designs, motifs, or branding. Like bullion coins, rounds are valued primarily for their metal content and can come in different weights and sizes.

The choice between bars, coins, or rounds often depends on individual preferences, investment goals, and the specific guidelines set by self-directed IRA custodians or IRA providers. Factors such as liquidity, premiums, and collectability may also influence the selection.

It's important to note that when including bullion in a self-directed IRA, there are certain requirements and regulations to adhere to, such as the minimum fineness or purity of the metals. Consulting with a custodian or a qualified professional can help you understand the options available to you and ensure compliance with the guidelines of your self-directed IRA.

What are Numismatic Coins?

Numismatic coins are a specialized category of coins that are valued not only for their metal content but also for their rarity, historical significance, condition, and aesthetic appeal. Unlike bullion coins, which are primarily acquired for their precious metal content, numismatic coins are sought after by collectors and enthusiasts for their numismatic value.

The term "numismatic" refers to the study and collection of coins and numismatic coins are those that possess characteristics that make them particularly interesting and valuable to collectors. These characteristics can include factors such as limited mintages, unique designs, historical importance, errors or variations in production, or exceptional preservation.

Due to their rarity and collectible nature, numismatic coins often carry higher premiums above their intrinsic metal value compared to bullion coins. The value of numismatic coins is determined by a combination of factors, including their rarity, demand from collectors, condition (graded by independent grading services), and market trends. The numismatic value of a coin can sometimes far exceed its actual metal value.

Numismatic Coins are NOT allowed within your retirement self-directed Gold or Silver IRA.

Collectors of numismatic coins enjoy the historical and artistic aspects of these coins, as well as the thrill of building a unique and valuable collection. They may focus on a particular period, country, or theme, and seek out coins that exhibit specific characteristics or have a notable historical background.

It's worth noting that while numismatic coins can be highly rewarding for collectors, they may not be suitable for everyone as an investment vehicle. The market for numismatic coins can be influenced by various factors, including collector demand, rarity, condition, and broader economic trends. Therefore, novice investors need to conduct thorough research and seek guidance from experts before delving into numismatic coin collecting.

If you are considering numismatic coins as an investment or hobby, it is advisable to consult with reputable coin dealers, numismatic experts, or professional numismatic organizations to gain a better understanding of the market, grading standards, and potential risks and rewards associated with collecting these specialized coins.

Does Bold Precious Metals offer Precious Metal IRAs?

Investors looking to Bold Precious Metals should know they are not a gold IRA dealer. Understand that a precious metals IRA dealer has the knowledge and experience to work with investors looking to rollover their 401(k) or current retirement IRA into a self-directed IRA (SDIRA).

Gold IRA Dealers work in conjunction with a custodian to ensure the metals are purchased through the SDIRA. The Gold IRA dealer then securely transports the metals to a secured storage facility or depository to hold keeping the IRA in compliance with IRA/IRS regulations.

Bold Precious Metals may sell IRA-approved coins or bars, but they are not a recognized precious metals dealer and specifically note on their website that "...they are preparing to launch a service to assist our customers in setting up their own self-directed Precious Metals IRA and to make it very easy to purchase and deposit physical bullion products into their account."

When working with your retirement savings through your prior employer's 401(k) or your current IRAs, make sure you work with a reputable company that has years of experience and staff that know what they are doing. Our recommendation is to check out Goldco or Augusta Precious Metals. Pick up their complimentary Free Investment Guide or Kit and get more information before you invest. These companies are equipped to help investors with initial SDIRAs along with investments over $25,000 and $50,000 respectively. If you are looking to start a Gold IRA with $10,000 check out Birch Gold Group. They have a lower minimum investment requirement to get started. 

What is a Precious Metals IRA?

A precious metals IRA, such as a Gold SDIRA, is a type of individual retirement account that allows you to hold physical precious metals, like gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, as part of your investment portfolio. Unlike traditional IRAs that primarily consist of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, a precious metals IRA allows you to diversify your retirement savings by including tangible assets in the form of precious metals.

What sets a Gold SDIRA apart from other types of precious metals IRAs is its self-directed nature. This means that you have more control and flexibility over your investment decisions within the account. Instead of relying on a financial institution to manage your investments, a self-directed IRA empowers you to make choices regarding which specific precious metals you want to invest in and how you want to allocate your funds.

The process of setting up a Gold SDIRA involves establishing a self-directed IRA with a custodian that specializes in alternative investments. This custodian will help facilitate the purchase and storage of the physical precious metals on your behalf, ensuring compliance with IRS regulations and retirement account rules.

It's important to note that a Gold SDIRA is subject to certain rules and regulations imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). For example, there are restrictions on the types of precious metals that can be held in an IRA, as well as guidelines on storage and distribution. These regulations are in place to ensure that the assets held within your retirement account maintain their tax-advantaged status and are used for retirement purposes.

In summary, a precious metals IRA, specifically a Gold SDIRA, is an individual retirement account that allows you to include physical precious metals in your investment portfolio. It provides you with the flexibility to make your own investment decisions within the account, allowing you to diversify your retirement savings beyond traditional investment options. Just keep in mind that there are specific IRS rules and regulations to follow when setting up and managing a Gold SDIRA.

What Precious Metals Are Allowed in My Gold IRA?

What metals are allowed in my SDIRA? Here's a brief overview of the types of precious metals that are generally allowed within a precious metals SDIRA, along with the purity requirements. Please note that this information is intended to provide a general understanding and may not cover all specific details:

1. Gold: Gold is a popular choice for precious metals IRAs. It is widely recognized and has a long history of being a valuable asset. Gold bars and coins, typically of high purity, are commonly held within precious metals SDIRAs. The purity requirement for gold typically ranges from 99.5% to 99.99% but is it is minimum requirement is .995 purity to qualify.
2. Silver: Silver is another commonly included precious metal in self-directed IRAs. Silver bars and coins, often referred to as bullion, can be held within a precious metal SDIRA. The purity requirement for silver generally ranges from 99.9% to 99.99% and the minimum requirement is a purity of .999. Silver is a good choice as the price of silver is much less than gold. Check out our blog on Why Buy Silver and Not Gold in 2023.
3. Platinum: Platinum is a rarer and more expensive precious metal. It is also an option for inclusion in a precious metals SDIRA. Platinum bars and coins with a purity of 99.95% or higher are typically accepted within a self-directed IRA.
4. Palladium: Palladium, like platinum, is a relatively rare and valuable precious metal. It has gained popularity in recent years and can be held within a precious metals SDIRA. Palladium bars and coins with a purity of 99.95% or higher are generally accepted for investment purposes.

Self-directed IRAs have specific requirements when it comes to the origin of precious metals. In the metals world, there are both coins (produced by sovereign nations) and rounds (produced by private mints). While both rounds and coins may have similar or the same purity level, they are not treated the same for IRA investment purposes. Working with a proven Gold or Silver IRA dealer with help you make sure you are staying compliant with requirements and purchasing only those metals allowed within a retirement IRA. 

Remember, the goal of including precious metals in your SDIRA is to diversify your retirement portfolio and potentially benefit from the long-term value appreciation of these assets while also hedging inflation and removing some of your retirement savings from the stock market volatility. 

What Do Others Say About Bold?

As part of our review, we consult several online sources to get a better understanding of the business through the comments and reviews provided by customers. We source from Yelp, the BBB, BCA, Trustpilot, TrustLink, Google Business Profile, and Facebook reviews. We also search for any recent state or federal complaints and news articles that may put light on the company culture and business practices. 

Here is a brief description of Bold Precious Metals and a link if you would like to investigate further for these review sources. 

• Yelp - No business review found
• BBB - Better Business Bureau shows an A+ and that they are an Accredited Business. The reviews are not used in determining the business's accreditation. It also notes a 3.86 out of 5 Star Rating and 13 complaints closed in the last 3 years. 8 Complaints in the past 12 months and 42 overall reviews. Link
• Trustpilot - There are 11 reviews on this platform. The overall rating is 3.9 out of 5 Stars. 18% of the ratings are 1 star. Link
• Google Business Review - Shows the business as having 58 Google Reviews with a 4.1 out of 5.0 Star Rating. Link

In all the complaints ranged from questionable business practices, canceling orders when prices rise, holding orders for complete order delivery, double charging for delivery, delayed shipments, and poor customer service. 

** Special Note: we include this note for all our reviews. You should consider all reviews and experiences and not just those that filed a complaint or wrote a negative review. Not all people have the same experience. But, make sure you are aware of these experiences and question how Bold with handle these situations when or if they arrive.  

Final Thoughts on Bold Precious Metals as a Reputable Metals Dealer

For an online retailer, we believe Bold is a viable option to purchase coins, bars, or bullion. They offer a variety of collector items that are inviting for collectors to purchase.

As for IRA investors, we do not recommend Bold as a reputable or viable metals dealer for your IRA investments. We recommend using a company that specializes in educating investors on the value of precious metals investing.

As of the writing of this blog article, it appears Bold is a viable option for those looking for unique metals for collecting. Choose wisely and understand the risks of buying metals. 

To get more information on Bold Precious Metals click here and we will take you to their website.