mountain west ira

Precious Metals / Foreign Currency

Why precious metals/foreign currency in your IRA?

When it comes to investing in your future, a precious metals self-directed IRA can diversify your retirement portfolio. With a precious metals IRA, you have the opportunity to invest in gold, silver, platinum, other precious metals, and foreign currency as a way of securing your retirement.

As one of the leading self-directed IRA companies, we can help you purchase gold or other precious metals in your IRA that best meet your investment interests. When paired with other allowable investments, precious metals are an option to diversify your retirement portfolio.

Does Mountain West IRA choose the dealer?

No, as the IRA holder, you get to choose the dealer and the type of product you want. Mountain West IRA does not sell or promote any products or vendors.

Who chooses the depository?

Unlike most self-directed IRA administrators, Mountain West IRA allows you as the IRA holder to choose any precious metals storage facility. The choice is up to you. Please do your due diligence on the depository you choose.

What types of metals are allowed in an IRA?

Gold Bars:
They must have a purity of 24 karat (0.995+ fineness). These bars come in 1 oz., 10 oz., 1 kilo (32.15 oz.), 100 oz., and 400 oz. sizes.

Gold Coins:
They must have a purity of 24 karat (0.9999 fineness), with the exception of the 22 karat U.S. Gold Eagle.

Silver Coins & Bars:
They must have a 0.999+ fineness, like the 1 oz. U.S. Silver Eagle. You can purchase 100 oz. silver bars and also 1000 oz. silver bars. Pre-1965 bags of US silver coins (dimes, quarters, half dollars, and silver dollars) are not allowed in an IRA because their alloy contains only 90% silver.

Platinum/Palladium Bars & Coins:
They must have a 0.9995+ fineness, however, private companies who manufacture platinum and palladium bars ranging in size from 1 oz. to 100 oz. with well-established hallmarks, are acceptable as well. Both the U.S. and Canadian mints make 1 oz. platinum coins meeting these standards. Other countries, such as Great Britain and Australia, have 1 oz. platinum coins, which are not as well-known but are also acceptable.

Currency:
Iraqi Dinar, Vietnamese Dong, Zimbabwe Dollar. All currencies must be purchased from a dealer.

What are the different forms in which precious metals can be held in a Mountain West IRA?

Precious metals can be held in your IRA in the form of physical (allocated or unallocated) gold and silver bullion, coins from specified countries, and certificates.

What is the difference between allocated and unallocated storage?

Allocated or segregated storage only applies to gold bars 10 oz. or greater and it ensures that the bars are kept separate from the other metals in the depository’s vault.

Bars are identified by size, refinery, and serial number (for example: 100 oz. PAMP Swiss gold bar SN#35427681).

When the metal is distributed from the depository, it will be the exact same bar that was originally deposited. With unallocated or unsegregated storage, the metals are commingled in a depository metal account.

Bars are identified by size/weight and refinery (for example, a 100 oz. JM silver bar). When the metal is distributed from the depository, it will be the same size bar, from the same refiner as the bar that was originally deposited.

Coins are identified by type and year minted (for example, a 1992 American Silver Eagle).

When the coin is distributed from the depository, it will be the same year coin as the coin that was originally deposited.

Can I put precious metals or foreign currency that I currently own into my IRA?

No, this is considered a prohibited transaction because you are a disqualified person.

Buying Precious Metals In Your IRA

To purchase precious metals or foreign currency in your self-directed IRA, the process is as follows:

  1. Complete and return a Purchase Kit.
  2. Provide us with a purchase contract/agreement from your precious metals dealer that clearly specifies your IRA as the buyer.
  • Vesting must read: Mountain West IRA, Inc. FBO (Your Name) IRA
  • Any buyer address information must be our office address:  13905 W. Wainwright Dr., Boise, ID  83713
  • You must sign this document as “Read and Approved by: (Your Name)”
  1. If sending funds via wire to the dealer, please fill out the Outgoing Wire Instructions Form, if the dealer cannot email instructions.
  2. Provide MWIRA with the appropriate documentation necessary to establish a storage account with a third party depository vault facility of your choosing.
  • Your IRA must be listed as the account holder.  All aforementioned vesting and address information applies
  • If the selected depository requires an owner signature, please sign the custody agreement as Read and Approved. An agent for Mountain West IRA will sign on behalf of the IRA
  1. We must receive all complete and correct documentation at least 3 business days prior to the day you wish funds to be sent.

You are required to keep one (1) year of depository fees in your IRA upon purchase of an asset.

If you are funding your Mountain West IRA fees from your account keep in mind we will require $500.00 in your account at all times.

You can choose to have a credit card on file with MWIRA for our administration fees as they arise or pay for the transaction fees and a year of record keeping fees in advance, in this case you are not required to have $500 in your IRA.  

If you pay your fees by check, you will need to pay for the transaction fees and a year of record keeping fees in advance.

Precious Metals Forms

Outgoing Wire Instructions | Transactions

Please submit the Outgoing Wire Instructions Form when sending outgoing funds via wire to purchase Precious Metals.

Precious Metals Purchase Kit

Get access to the Precious Metals Purchase Kit below.

Precious metals Only

CNT Depository Election Form

Download the CNT Depository Election Form.

Money Metals Exchange Election Form

Download the Money Metals Exchange Election Form.

Precious Metals and Foreign Currency

Idaho Armored Vaults/Gold Silver Vault

Download the Individual Safekeeping Account Agreement.

Precious Metals Maintenance Forms

Idaho Armored Vaults/Gold Silver Vault

Download the Individual Safekeeping Account Agreement.

Acceptable Precious Metals

Download the Acceptable Precious Metals document at the link provided.

CNT Depository Election Form

Download the CNT Depository Election Form.

Depository Payment Authorization Letter - Precious Metals

Depository Payment Authorization Letter

Direction of Investment Form - Precious Metals

The step-by-step instruction sheet is not included with this document.

Fee Schedule - Precious Metals

Complete the fee schedule for Precious Metals.

Incoming Check and Wire Instructions

Incoming Check and Wire Instructions

Outgoing Wire Instructions – Maintenance

Complete the Outgoing Wire Instructions Form

Mountain West IRA does not offer investment, tax, financial, or legal advice to clients. Individuals who believe they need advice should consult with the appropriate professional(s) licensed in that area.