Contributor, Benzinga
April 15, 2024
Priority Gold
Overall Rating:
securely through Priority Gold's website

Generations of consumers have long recognized the importance of gold as a hedge against economic uncertainty. Gold is considered by many to be a strong portfolio diversifier and a store of value during market volatility. In the words of renowned analytic philosopher, Charles Stevenson, “Gold is money that governments don’t print. It’s a way to hold value when there is nothing to invest in because it stores value the way money is supposed to.”

This sentiment encapsulates the essence of acquiring gold as a safeguard against the eroding purchasing power of the U.S. dollar, particularly during economic and political instability. Incorporating gold and silver into your portfolio can add an extra layer of security and help make your financial future less uncertain. But here’s the thing: like all assets, acquiring precious metals has a certain degree of risk and requires the guidance of a trusted partner. In addition to regulatory hurdles, asset security and storage issues, gold IRA customers must contend with a lack of transparency among dealers.

Priority Gold stands out as a customer favorite in the bustling market of precious metals dealers and distributors all vying to help Americans diversify their assets into physical metals. Priority Gold is known as “America’s Precious Metals Dealer” because of its reputation for reliability, price transparency and good old-fashioned customer service. They offer a wide range of investment-grade gold and silver products as well as a 4-Step, easy setup Precious Metals IRA. In this review, Benzinga delves into Priority Gold’s offerings, services, and reputation to help you navigate the world of precious metals with confidence and clarity.

Best For
  • Customers looking to gain exposure to precious metals (gold and silver) for diversification purposes to minimize overall portfolio risks arising from economic uncertainties and market volatility
  • Anyone seeking to set-up a Gold or Silver IRA or rollover a portion of an existing IRA into precious metals with IRA-eligible gold or silver and robust IRS-approved storage depositories to streamline portfolio diversification and enjoy long-term tax benefits
  • Beginner to seasoned precious metals buyers seeking a reliable and transparent precious metals company with fair pricing, a range of assets, knowledgeable consultants, and strong customer support to streamline direct gold and silver ownership for wealth preservation and/or an inflation hedge 
  • Beginner gold and silver buyers looking for a transparent and integrity-driven precious metals company with excellent educational and research resources to help them fully understand and efficiently navigate the complex world of precious metals.
Pros
  • Reasonable and fair pricing — Priority Gold's administrative fees are lower than many competitors, and the company offers
  • Buy Back and Price Protection plans
  • Insured and robust IRS-approved vaults/depositories for IRA gold and silver storage (3 years free storage for eligible accounts)
  • An impressive selection of rare and widely held precious metals products, including IRS-eligible gold and silver coins, for opening a precious metals IRA.
  • Unconditional and zero-fee precious metals buyback or a repurchase program guarantee if and when you decide to sell your precious metals
  • Accessible and responsive customer service personnel available across multiple channels including phone and email. 
  • Reputable, reliable, and trustworthy company with excellent reviews across both Consumer and Business independent platforms, including BBB, TrustLink and BCA
  • Expert gold and silver consultancy services offered by certified precious metals specialists who provide comprehensive guidance and support with respect to the intricacies of acquiring precious metals
  • An insured and expedited shipping process, to guarantee that precious metals reach customers safely, securely, and promptly after purchase 
  • Excellent research and educational resources, including information links, free precious metals and IRA guides, white papers, precious metals price charts and an informative glossary of gold terms.
Cons
  • Gold and silver coins dominate the precious metals product selection; customers that prefer larger bullion bars, rounds and other forms of gold and silver might consider looking elsewhere
  • No live chat, which, from Benzinga's perspective, is one of the most convenient support channels for those who prefer chat interaction
  • No platinum and palladium, unlike some of its competitors

Priority Gold Ratings at a Glance

Customer Service
Security
Minimum Purchase and Pricing
User Experience
Overall

Priority Gold Product Offering

Since its incorporation in 2015, Priority Gold has earned its stripes as among the most trusted and reliable precious metals dealers in the U.S. by tailoring its offerings to meet the rising demands of consumers seeking the stability of a diversified portfolio in an increasingly volatile economic environment. You can start acquiring precious metals with Priority Gold through either of these options.

  • By directly purchasing gold and silver in the form of coins, bars, and rounds
  • By transferring your existing traditional IRA or 401(k) retirement savings into a precious metals IRA account backed by physical gold and silver

Either way, Priority Gold is fully committed to helping you navigate the precious metals landscape. Here's a breakdown of its core products and services. 

Buy Gold and Silver Coins 

Aside from functioning as an inflationary hedge and diversification tool, there are many other reasons why you should own gold or consider a precious metals IRA. Gold is a rare tangible asset with a fixed supply and high demand. Its limited supply and rarity give it intrinsic value. Gold has been a reliable store of value and has been globally recognized, accepted, and traded for thousands of years. Historical data shows that gold has outperformed traditional assets, including high-flying tech stocks, bonds, equities and commodities during market downturns, corrections and/or pullbacks.  

Gold's low correlation with paper and intangible assets like stocks and bonds can make it a more secure and reliable option for long-term asset. Unlike real estate or collectibles, precious metals are highly liquid assets. Priority Gold offers some of the best precious metals products available in the marketplace. These include minted bullion bars and coins, investment-grade modern coins, raw proof coins and pre-1933 Investment-Grade rare coins. The company's internationally renowned gold and silver coins collection is impressive.

It includes popular and respected options such as:

  • Royal Canadian Mint Gold Maple Leaf
  • South African Mint Gold Krugerrand
  • Royal Canadian Mint Silver Polar Bear
  • United States Mint Gold American Eagle 
  • Austrian Mint Gold Philharmonic 
  • 1933 St. Gaudens Gold Double Eagle
  • Royal Canadian Mint Silver Maple Leaf
  • Royal Canadian Mint Silver Polar Bear 
  • United States Mint Silver American Eagle 
  • United States Mint Morgan Silver Dollar
  • United States Mint Morgan Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollar

These coins are minted by reputable private and national mints and combine the best aspects of collectability and alternative asset appeal. Although bullion coins dominate Priority Gold’s offerings, 1 oz Silver Rounds and 10 oz Silver Bars are also available. The shopping page has a complete list of precious metals assets and their specifications.

If you need a specific coin, bar, or round that is not listed on the website, you can contact the company by phone to see if it can be acquired for you. The company's certified metals specialists are readily available to help you take advantage of some of the top-performing precious metals products while providing personal guidance to help you make the best choices to protect your portfolio and safeguard your wealth long-term. Priority Gold makes acquiring precious metals both informative and hassle-free. 

Sell Gold and Silver

Life isn't always predictable, and sometimes, emergencies require quick cash. In such cases, you may need to sell your gold and silver assets. It doesn't have to be an emergency. You may liquidate your assets to cover unexpected bills or raise money for other expenditures. Although many online dealers buy gold and silver, finding a reliable company to sell your metals to can take time and effort. 

Priority Gold makes it easy to liquidate your assets by offering an unconditional buyback. If you need to sell your gold and silver after purchasing from the company, Priority Gold will repurchase it at a competitive price — no questions asked. Payment is typically available via check within 72 hours of repurchase. Three buyback options are available — open market, consignment, and an immediate liquidation sale. 

The Open Market option gives you control over the selling price and which auction outlet to sell to. Besides its flexibility, you can achieve the highest price on your assets. However, it requires additional time and effort, including selecting the auction outlet and facilitating the transaction. You'll also need to account for the service fees. There's also no minimum hold time. 

Suppose you've held your assets for at least 60 months and want to sell them at a reasonable value without the time commitment. In that case, Consignment Sale is the way to go. All you need to do is have your assets delivered to Priority Gold's facility — you're responsible for the insurance and shipping fees. The company will then position them at the forefront and sell them at the current market price (less 15% associate fees) via its active trading floor. 

The Immediate Liquidation option is ideal if you need immediate cash and want to sell your precious metals quickly. If you deliver your metals to Priority Gold's facility, the company will repurchase them at their current bid with zero fees or charges. Remember, you're responsible for the insurance and shipping fees until it reaches the company's facility. The company recommends this option for immediate liquidation of your gold bullion as well as investment-grade and numismatic coins. 

Gold and Silver IRA

Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are a popular tax-sheltered pathway to long-term retirement savings and offer diversified options for financial security. Retirement savings are considered a prerequisite to financial independence in your golden years. Priority Gold provides a precious metals IRA portfolio which is similar to a traditional IRA. 

Instead of allocating funds to paper-based assets like stocks and bonds, however, the funds are allocated to IRA-eligible gold and silver and held in secured and robust IRS-approved depositories or vaults. This facilitates diversification and helps you protect your overall portfolio, particularly to minimize losses from widespread market volatility and/or economic downturns. You also benefit from the inherent tax savings associated with IRAs.

Priority Gold uses a team of metals experts to streamline your IRA gold purchases and offers competitive prices. These specialists help you select the best investment-grade product to create a diversified portfolio to meet your financial needs. Up to three years of free storage is available for eligible customers, alongside seamless IRA transfers and a straightforward purchasing process for added convenience. 

You can actually roll over other traditional retirement accounts, including traditional and Roth IRA, 401(k), 403(b), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) or 457 plan, into your new precious metals IRA. This allows you to reap the same profits as you would by purchasing gold or silver directly while enjoying the benefits offered by your retirement account.

The process is seamless thanks to Priority Gold's dedicated team of IRA specialists. These specialists are available to address your questions, coordinate with your current custodians for a seamless transition, offer a complimentary metals evaluation and assist you in reviewing your current portfolio allocation. 

Usually, an account custodian oversees the buying and selling process, storage, and tax obligations. Priority Gold uses Delaware Depositary, a robust and well-insured IRS-approved depository for storing IRA gold and silver products.

How to Open a Precious Metals IRA Account with Priority Gold

You can open a gold and silver IRA account in three easy steps. First, you contact the company's certified gold IRA specialist to discuss your options. These specialists will address all your questions and concerns regarding setting up a gold IRA and help you apply for an account with an IRA custodian. If you have an existing retirement account like a (401(k) or IRA, they'll assist in rolling the funds over to your new precious metals IRA account, ensuring a seamless transition. 

The metals specialists will also help you identify, evaluate, and select the metals you wish to purchase for the IRA. This evaluation is free; you have complete control as well as the final decision over what metals are included. Upon your approval or confirmation, the company will place the order. 

The company uses the Delaware Depository for storage. If you're eligible, you can get up to three years of free storage and one-year of shipping and insurance for your metals. The company may cover your first-year IRA fees. The best part is that Priority Gold is ready to buy back your assets whenever you want to sell. 

Educational and Research Resources

Access to key educational tools and the precious metals industry’s latest research provides the knowledge and insight to help you make informed decisions and better navigate your gold and silver purchases. Priority Gold provides excellent research resources, such as an information link, a precious metals price chart and a gold glossary. The Priority Gold blog boasts well-crafted articles on acquiring precious metals, retirement planning, market insights, and economic trends. 

In addition, there's a free precious metals IRA guide. This detailed guide helps educate you on how diversifying your portfolio with precious metals can help you hedge against domestic and global economic instability. You can request the guide by providing your phone number, email address and full name — no sign-up is required.

Customer Service

Priority Gold is committed to providing the highest standard of customer service through its commitment to honesty, integrity, professionalism, and a strict ethical code of business conduct. If you have inquiries, you can speak with one of the company's dedicated representatives by phone at (888) 506-6439, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

You can count on these specialists to address your questions, resolve any complaints, and provide personalized support at every stage of your precious metals journey. You can also send an email to info@prioritygold.com or use the contact form on the website for more general questions. 

Priority Gold's unwavering customer satisfaction enhances trust and ensures that your precious metals purchase is secure at each step of the acquisition process. This is reflected in the company’s positive reviews across multiple independent platforms. 

This includes an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a AAA rating from the Business Consumer Alliance (BCA) and a 5-star rating on TrustLink. Priority Gold has a Good Standing Award from the Industrial Council for Tangible Assets (ICTA), a Consumer Watchdog Agency for the coins, currency, and precious metals bullion communities. The company is also a proud sponsor and partner of the World Champion Texas Rangers. 

Security

Priority Gold takes adequate measures to protect your assets, which makes sense considering that precious metals represent a rare and highly valuable alternative asset. The company uses the largest, most reputable depositories in the country such as IDS Texas and the Delaware Depository for storage.

Delaware Depository is a state-of-the-art IRS-approved vault or storage facility licensed by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). When your metals arrive at the facility, they are subject to thorough inspection and inventorying. The facility regularly audits and is fully responsible for the assets in its possession. When you buy gold or silver for personal ownership, Priority Gold will deliver it to your home, office, or any preferred independent storage facility for security. The company offers free shipping and insurance if you meet the eligibility. 

The company also offers the option to store your metals in their exchange-approved vaults. Free storage is available if you meet the eligibility criteria. While Priority Gold may collect personal information during your account setup, the company only uses such data for enhanced service delivery and/or to keep you abreast of breaking industry news, new complimentary research reports, or special offers about gold and silver. Priority Gold will not sell or share your data with any third party without your consent except in compliance with the law. The company implements robust encryption protocols to protect your data from unauthorized access. 

Minimum Purchase and Pricing

Pricing is not accessible on the company's website. This is a standard practice in the industry since the asset price varies daily. To get pricing for specific gold and silver products and any associated service fees, contact Priority Gold via phone or email. The company's representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will answer all your questions, including those related to pricing.

Reviewers' comments across platforms show that the company offers a fair and competitive pricing model. Additionally, customers enjoy a price protection plan, which involves locking in a specific price for purchase to ensure that you’re protected from price fluctuations. The company also offers multiple buyback options with unconditional and strict zero-fee commitments, particularly for those seeking immediate liquidation.

User Experience

Priority Gold prides itself on a seamless user experience, leveraging its certified metals specialists to provide personalized guidance and an easy purchasing process. The company follows IRS guidelines regarding the purity and storage of precious metals for IRAs. Its commitment to honesty, integrity, and professionalism is clearly reflected in the various independent customer reviews. Further, through its price protection plans, clients are shielded from market fluctuations. 

The company's research and learning tools, including the free precious metals IRA guide, empower customers by providing invaluable insights about asset diversification. This is particularly helpful for those purchasing gold or silver for the very first time. Account setup and onboarding are hassle-free whether you're buying for personal ownership or retirement planning via a gold IRA. Dedicated customer service representatives are readily available to address inquiries and provide personal assistance during business hours. 

With secure storage options and a focus on protecting client assets, Priority Gold prioritizes the safety and satisfaction of its customers. Benzinga considers Priority Gold very recommendable.

Priority Gold vs. Competitors

Priority Gold has several competitors including Birch Gold, Preserve Gold, and Augusta Metals. Like Priority Gold, these precious metals dealers streamline gold and silver purchasing for gold IRA customers and those buying for personal ownership. Priority Gold's price protection plan and multiple buyback options, including guaranteed unconditional and zero-fee buyback for the immediate liquidation option, are among its core attractions. 

The company offers fair product and service pricing, including up to three years of free storage for eligible accounts. Up to one year of free shipping and insurance are also available if you meet the qualifying criteria. The company's learning resources are also quite impressive and highly competitive. However, its unwavering commitment to excellence, driven by its customer-centric approach, which enhances trust and confidence, makes it one of the best gold IRA dealers to choose from.

Overall

Priority Gold has earned its stripes as one of the best precious metals distributors, ideal for beginners and seasoned pros. Its genuine commitment to streamlining your buying experience, driven by its core belief in making alternative physical assets available to all, reflects an underlying dedication to client satisfaction. 

The company's excellent ratings on major independent review platforms underscore a strong reputation bolstered by competitive pricing, robust storage, unconditional and zero-fee buyback policies, impressive learning resources and strict adherence to IRS guidelines on acquiring precious metals. The highly responsive customer support service and its certified metals specialists is another reason why Priority Gold is recognized as a premier gold and silver company. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

Is Priority Gold a legitimate company?

A

Yes, Priority Gold is a legitimate company with a strong reputation in the precious metals industry.

Q

What is the cheapest way to buy gold?

A

The cheapest way to buy gold is typically by purchasing gold bullion coins or bars from reputable dealers or online dealers like Priority Gold.

Q

Is it wise to acquire physical gold?

A

Yes, owning gold can be an excellent way to diversify your portfolio and hedge against inflation, economic uncertainty, and currency devaluation.

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