USAGold Review

Disclaimer: We are reader supported.  We may be compensated from the links in this post, if you use products or services based on our expert recommendations. Please read our Advertising Disclosure.

USAGold has been buying and selling gold and silver since 1973, which puts it in a category that very few American precious metals dealers can claim: over five decades of continuous operation as a family-owned business.

Founded by Michael J. Kosares in Denver, Colorado, the company originally operated under the name Centennial Precious Metals before transitioning to the USAGold brand when it moved online in the late 1990s.

Today, with gold spot prices sitting around $4,828 per ounce as of mid-April 2026, and with the metal having gained over 66% in 2025 alone, the timing of this review could not be more relevant for anyone considering a precious metals dealer for the first time or re-evaluating an existing relationship.

Key Takeaways

• USAGold has operated as a family-owned precious metals dealer since 1973 and holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
• The company sells gold and silver only, with no platinum or palladium, and is not an IRA custodian.
• Pricing is transparent and competitive, but some buyers will find lower markups elsewhere depending on product type.

Company Background

Michael Kosares founded the business in 1973, the same year President Nixon's decision to exit the Bretton Woods system sent shockwaves through global monetary markets.

Kosares went on to publish The ABCs of Gold Investing in 1996, a guide that has since been translated into multiple languages and elevated the company's profile internationally.

His son Jonathan, a University of Notre Dame finance graduate, joined the business in 2002, making it a multi-generational operation. The company is headquartered in Denver at PO Box 460009, Denver, CO 80246, and can be reached at 1-800-869-5115.

The rebranding from Centennial Precious Metals to USAGold happened largely because of a strategic early move online. In 1997, the company became one of the first precious metals dealers to establish a web presence, which allowed it to secure the usagold.com domain.

That early digital footprint gave the company a long head start on online education and customer acquisition.

What USAGold Sells

The product catalog is deliberately narrow. USAGold deals exclusively in gold and silver; there is no platinum, palladium, or copper. For some buyers that simplicity is a feature. For others who want a one-stop shop across all precious metals, it is a limitation worth knowing upfront.

Gold Products

Silver Products

Both IRA-eligible and non-IRA products are available. The historic fractional gold category is a genuine differentiator; this type of inventory requires specialized sourcing relationships and appeals to collectors alongside investors.

Current Market Context

Gold's performance over the past 18 months has been extraordinary by any historical measure. The metal set 53 new all-time highs during 2025 alone, according to the World Gold Council, with the annual average price landing at $3,431 per ounce, a 44% increase year-over-year.

Total global gold demand in 2025 exceeded 5,000 tonnes for the first time in recorded history, generating an estimated $555 billion in value. Bar and coin buying reached a 12-year high.

As of April 2026, spot gold is trading near $4,828 per ounce. J.P. Morgan projects prices could approach $5,000 per ounce by late 2026, driven by continued central bank accumulation and investor demand.

Bank of America has issued similar targets. That backdrop matters when choosing a dealer: in a market moving this fast, response time, pricing transparency, and buyback policies are not minor details.

IRA Services

USAGold is not an IRA custodian. That is an important distinction. To set up a precious metals IRA through the company, buyers must work with a third-party custodian. USAGold has a formal partnership with Equity Trust Company for this purpose.

The process involves more steps than a direct bullion purchase: an account must be opened with the custodian, funds transferred or rolled over, and then USAGold fulfills the metal order on behalf of the account.

For storage, buyers can choose between non-segregated and segregated vault options through the Delaware Depository, which is an IRS-approved facility. Segregated storage keeps your specific coins or bars separated from other clients' holdings rather than pooled by type.

Both options include insurance. Investors who prefer to take physical possession can do so with non-IRA purchases; USAGold ships using discreet, insured packaging.

Pricing and Fees

USAGold displays live pricing on its online order desk, which is updated in real time alongside spot market movements. There are no hidden fees listed in the company's published terms. Markups over spot vary by product type, with bullion bars generally carrying lower premiums than collectible or numismatic coins, which is standard across the industry.

Where USAGold sometimes draws criticism is on pricing relative to high-volume discount dealers. Buyers focused purely on acquiring the most metal per dollar will occasionally find tighter spreads at larger online marketplaces.

The company's value proposition leans more toward service, expertise, and relationship than toward rock-bottom premiums. That is a reasonable trade-off for some investors and a dealbreaker for others.

Payment options include wire transfer and personal check. Credit card purchases are not listed as an option, which is worth knowing before placing an order.

Buyback Program

USAGold offers a buyback program for clients looking to liquidate holdings. The company publishes competitive buyback prices benchmarked to current market values, and reviewers who have used this service report fast payment and straightforward transactions.

One verified customer on Trustpilot described a buyback experience in 2024 that resulted in a 50% return over a nine-year holding period, with the process described as uncomplicated.

A fee applies to all buyback transactions, as is standard practice across the industry. Buyers planning eventual liquidation should factor this into their total cost of ownership.

Customer Service and Education

This is where USAGold consistently distinguishes itself in customer feedback. Reviewers across multiple platforms describe brokers with 20 or more years of individual experience, low-pressure consultations, and a practice of assigning the same support contact throughout a transaction.

Long-term clients report holding relationships with the company across multiple decades.

The educational library on usagold.com is extensive. Resources include a daily market report, a live price feed, historical price charts for gold and silver, opinion columns, a beginner's guide to gold investing, IRA rollover tutorials, and a monthly newsletter.

The "Gold News" section updates regularly and covers macro commentary alongside pricing data.

Michael Kosares continues to write and publish commentary on precious metals and the U.S. economy. That consistent intellectual output gives the company a voice and a point of view that goes beyond simply moving product.

Reputation and Ratings

One honest observation: USAGold has fewer online reviews than competitors who spend heavily on digital marketing. That thin review footprint makes aggregate scores less statistically reliable.

The reviews that do exist skew strongly positive, including from customers who have made repeat purchases over 4 to 20-plus years. The BBB accreditation record spanning more than three decades carries real weight in an industry that has its share of short-lived operators.

Who USAGold Works Best For

Not every buyer is a fit for USAGold, and the company makes that clear on its own website, which points visitors toward qualities to look for in any reputable dealer without pretending to be the only valid choice.

• Long-term investors who value ongoing relationships and expert guidance over the lowest possible premium on any given day.
• IRA investors comfortable navigating a third-party custodian setup in exchange for a dealer with deep product knowledge.
• First-time gold buyers who want educational support and a low-pressure consultation before committing capital.
• Collectors interested in historic fractional gold coins, which USAGold sources specifically for that audience.

Buyers who want the absolute tightest spreads on standard bullion, or who prefer a one-click checkout experience with no broker conversation, will likely find a better fit elsewhere.

Pros and Cons at a Glance