Money Metals Exchange made headlines when Investopedia named them "Best Overall" precious metals dealer. Their claim to fame? Low-cost starter portfolios that let anyone get into gold and silver without a massive upfront investment. But there's a catch: they're primarily a direct dealer, not an IRA specialist. Let's break down whether that matters for your retirement plans.
The Verdict
Money Metals Exchange excels at what they do best: selling gold and silver at competitive prices with no minimum purchase. For direct buying and holding at home or in private storage, they're excellent. For Gold IRAs, they can facilitate the process, but IRA services feel secondary to their core business. If your primary goal is an IRA rollover, consider a more IRA-focused dealer.
Visit Money Metals ExchangeThe Famous "Starter Packs"
Money Metals Exchange built their reputation on "Starter Portfolios"—pre-assembled collections of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium that let first-time buyers diversify across multiple metals in a single purchase. These packs range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.
The appeal is obvious: instead of agonizing over which coins or bars to buy, you get a curated mix. They update these portfolios based on market conditions, and the pricing is transparent—you can see exactly what premium you're paying over spot for each metal.
For new investors, these starter packs remove the paralysis of choice. For experienced stackers, they might seem limiting. Either way, they've helped Money Metals attract customers who'd otherwise feel overwhelmed by the product selection at traditional dealers.
Pros & Cons
The Good
- • No minimum for direct purchases
- • Famous 'Starter Portfolios'
- • Voted 'Best Overall' by Investopedia
- • Transparent pricing
The Bad
- • IRA services are secondary to direct sales
- • Shipping costs on small orders
- • Storage fees separate
Customer Reviews
Money Metals Exchange holds an A+ BBB rating and consistently receives praise for their pricing transparency and fast shipping. The Investopedia recognition wasn't accidental—they've earned a loyal customer base through competitive premiums and reliable service.
Customer complaints typically focus on two areas: shipping costs for small orders (since they have no minimum, some people order small amounts and then balk at shipping fees) and occasional delays during periods of high demand. These are pretty standard for the industry.
Worth noting: reviews specifically about their IRA services are harder to find than reviews about direct purchases. This reinforces our observation that IRAs are their secondary business, not their specialty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Money Metals Exchange legit?
Yes. Money Metals Exchange is a legitimate, A+ BBB-rated precious metals dealer. They were named "Best Overall" by Investopedia and have been in business for over a decade with millions of dollars in metals sold.
What is the minimum purchase at Money Metals Exchange?
For direct purchases, there is no minimum—you can buy a single silver coin if you want. For IRA services, minimum requirements vary based on the custodian they partner with.
Does Money Metals Exchange offer Gold IRAs?
Yes, but IRA services are not their primary focus. They facilitate IRAs through partner custodians, but if your main goal is a retirement account rollover, you might prefer a company where IRAs are the core business.
What are Money Metals "Starter Portfolios"?
Starter Portfolios are pre-assembled collections of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium designed for first-time buyers. They offer diversification across metals in a single purchase at various price points.