Augusta Precious Metals publishes a simple, flat fee schedule: $50 to set up, then $235 a year for custody and storage, with up to 10 years of those fees paid by Augusta, according to its FAQ. The minimum purchase is $50,000. The cost you'll need to ask about is the premium built into the price of each coin or bar.
Augusta's Published Fee Schedule
| Fee | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Account setup | $50 | One time |
| Custodian fee | $125 | Annual |
| Depository storage and insurance | $110 | Annual |
| First-year total | $285 | |
| Ongoing annual total | $235 | |
| Management or performance fees | None charged, per Augusta | |
| Liquidation fee on Augusta buybacks | None, per Augusta |
Source: Augusta Precious Metals FAQ, updated September 23, 2026. Fees can change; confirm current terms before you open an account.
Up to 10 Years of Fees Covered
Augusta's FAQ states that every account receives up to 10 years of custodian and depository fees paid by Augusta. On the published $235 annual fee, that's up to $2,350 over a decade. Because the wording says "up to," ask Augusta to confirm in writing exactly which fees are covered for your account, for how many years, and whether anything changes the coverage.
Augusta's published $235 ongoing annual fee as a percentage of the account, before any fee coverage.
The $50,000 Minimum
Augusta requires a minimum initial purchase of $50,000, whether through an IRA, a cash purchase or a combination of eligible products. That's the highest minimum among the well-known gold IRA companies we compared in 2026, where published minimums started at $5,000. If you're moving less, see our Augusta alternatives for smaller accounts.
The Cost Not on the Fee Schedule: Product Premiums
Augusta says its prices are transparent and documented, that no additional commission is added to its listed prices, and that the order desk's quote is what you pay. That's useful, but the quoted price still includes a premium over the metal's melt value, and that premium varies by product. Augusta's own FAQ explains that high-mintage bullion trades closer to spot, while low-mintage products carry a higher acquisition price.
To compare fairly, ask for these numbers in writing for every product you're offered:
- The spot price at the moment your order is locked.
- The price per ounce for each product.
- The premium as a percentage of melt value.
- A high-mintage bullion alternative, priced the same way.
- Augusta's current buyback bid on the same products.
Why this matters is explained in gold IRA fees and bullion vs. proof coins.
Price Protection and Cancellation
- 7-Day Price Protection: on low-mintage products, Augusta allows one revision to a lower price within seven days.
- 7-day money-back period: Augusta advertises a 100% money-back guarantee within seven days, longer where state law requires.
- Price lock: prices are locked on a recorded confirmation call, with payment required.
Buybacks
Augusta says it has never declined a buyback and charges no liquidation fee when it repurchases. It's equally clear that no dealer can legally guarantee future repurchases and that its buyback policy can change without notice. Treat any buyback, from any company, as a policy rather than a promise, and get a live quote when you're ready to sell. See gold IRA withdrawals and selling.
How Augusta's Fees Compare
| Company | Published IRA minimum | Published ongoing annual fees | Fee coverage offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta Precious Metals | $50,000 | $235 | Up to 10 years of custodian and depository fees |
| Goldco | $25,000 | About $225 ($275 with segregated storage) | Bonus silver promotion on large orders |
| Birch Gold Group | $5,000 (can vary) | Typically about $235 | First year's fees covered over $50,000 |
| Noble Gold | $20,000 | $285 | None stated |
| American Hartford Gold | $10,000 | Varies by account size | Says storage "might be free" in some cases |
From each company's own pages, checked October 6, 2026. Goldco's cost page is dated February 2025. Head-to-head details: vs. Goldco, vs. Birch Gold, vs. Noble Gold, vs. American Hartford Gold.