When I first picked up the phone and called Patriot Gold Group, I expected a typical sales pitch. What I got instead was a calm, knowledgeable representative who actually walked me through the process like someone who has been in the industry for decades.
This Patriot Gold Group review is based on:
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my personal calls
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my direct questions
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my investigation into their custodian relationships
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investor feedback
If you?re deciding whether Patriot Gold Group deserves your trust, then this breakdown will help you make a confident decision.
Quick Patriot Gold Group Review Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Patriot Gold Group |
| Founded | 1986 |
| CEO | Jack Hanney |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California |
| Metals Offered | Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium |
| IRA Eligible | Yes |
| Minimum IRA Investment | 15,000 to 50,000 depending on custodian |
| Rating | 4 out of 5 |
| Best For | Investors wanting fee waivers for high balances |
What Stood Out To Me Immediately
When I personally called Patriot Gold Group, three things became clear:
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They are one of the few companies with investor direct pricing, meaning no middle men.
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Their team has a lot of combined experience, which you feel instantly when they answer your questions.
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If your account balance crosses 100,000, your annual fees drop to zero, and the savings stack over time.
That lifetime fee waiver is something most companies only offer for one or two years.
Who Is Patriot Gold Group?
Patriot Gold Group has been in the precious metals industry since 1986, making it one of the oldest companies still active today.
They originally operated under ?Halt Gold Group,? which is still the parent entity.
Their reputation was built by:
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working directly with custodians
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offering IRA eligible metals
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standing out for direct pricing
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providing one-on-one investment specialists rather than call center agents
And unlike some firms that only sell metals, Patriot Gold Group actually focuses on educating new investors, which is something I personally saw when I tested their team with basic and advanced questions.
What Patriot Gold Group Offers
Patriot works in two ways:
1. Precious Metals IRA
This is where most people go. They help you open a self-directed IRA with an approved custodian, fund the account, and purchase IRA-eligible metals.
2. Direct Metals Purchase
You can buy gold or silver directly and have it shipped to your home or stored professionally.
Below is the full breakdown:
| Product Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Gold IRA | Hold physical gold inside your retirement account |
| Silver IRA | Same as above but with silver |
| Direct purchase | Buy metals outright for home delivery |
| Custodians | STRATA Trust, Equity Institutional, Kingdom Trust, GoldStar Trust |
They do not publicly list prices for their metals. You must call to get real quotes.
The Metals They Sell
Gold
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American Eagle
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American Buffalo
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Canadian Maple Leaf
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Austrian Philharmonic
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Gold bars from approved refiners
Silver
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Silver Eagles
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Silver Maple Leafs
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Philharmonics
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Silver bars
Platinum and Palladium
Available through direct request
Not all coins are IRA eligible, so I asked the representative directly.
He told me that only IRS approved bullion with the right purity can enter the IRA.
My Personal Call Experience
When I called Patriot Gold Group, I told the representative, ?Explain it to me like it?s my first time investing.?
He patiently broke down:
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how a self directed IRA works
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the difference between home storage and depositories
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what I could and could not hold in an IRA
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how long transfers take
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what their role actually is
There was no pushiness.
No pressure to buy on the call.
No fear tactics.
This already put them above many companies in the industry.
Fees and IRA Costs (Updated 2025)
Here is the REAL updated structure, based on my calls and external checks.
Patriot Gold Group Fee Table
| Balance | Fee Waiver | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Under 50,000 | None | 250 |
| 50,000?99,999 | One year waived | 250 |
| 100,000+ | All fees waived | 0 |
| Over 250,000 | No Fee For Life Program | 0 |
Other Costs
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Opening fee: 200 to 250
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Storage included inside your yearly fee
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No shipping fee for IRA metals
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Custodian fees range from 150 to 180 depending on the facility
Minimums
| Type | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Gold IRA | 25,000 to 50,000 depending on custodian |
| Direct Purchase | 10,000 initially, then 1,500 min after you become a client |
Storage Options
Patriot Gold uses IRS-approved depositories nationwide, including:
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STRATA Trust partner vaults
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Equity Institutional vaults
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Brinks
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Delaware Depository (commonly used by clients)
If you buy metals outside of your IRA, you can store them at home without any penalty.
However, for IRA metals, storing them at home is not allowed.
Patriot Gold Group warns against ?LLC loophole? storage because the IRS is cracking down on it.
Good advice, honestly.
Can You Track Your IRA Performance?
Yes.
Your custodian gives you an online dashboard where you can:
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see your metals
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check performance
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view statements
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analyze pricing charts
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request distributions
Patriot Gold does not control this part; the custodians do.
But Patriot coordinates everything with them.
Customer Ratings (Updated 2025?2026)
I collected the most accurate ratings available today.
| Source | Rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Better Business Bureau | A or A+ | 2 to 6 reviews |
| Trustpilot | 5 out of 5 | 500+ reviews |
| 4.9 out of 5 | 280+ reviews | |
| ConsumerAffairs | 5 out of 5 | 60+ reviews |
Most praise focuses on:
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patience
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clarity
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transparency
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helpful customer service
Negative reviews mention:
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difficulty getting pricing in writing
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slow email responses during busy times
Patriot Gold Group Pros & Cons
Pros
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Fee waivers for high balances
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Strong customer reviews
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Direct pricing model
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Experienced team
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Good educational guides
Cons
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Must call to get pricing
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Platinum and palladium not always available
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Website information is limited
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Minimums higher than some competitors
How The IRA Setup Actually Works
Here is the exact process I went through:
Step 1: Contact a specialist
I called and a representative explained the entire IRA process clearly.
Step 2: Application
You fill out an application online or over the phone.
Step 3: Fund the account
You can either:
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transfer
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rollover
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contribute new funds
Step 4: Select metals
Your representative handles this with you on the phone.
Step 5: Storage
Your metals ship directly to your custodian?s vault.
Withdrawing From Your Account
You can withdraw metals in two ways:
1. In kind distribution
They ship the physical metals to you.
2. Cash distribution
They sell the metals and wire you the cash.
IRS rules still apply, including penalties for early withdrawal.
Is Patriot Gold Group Legit Or A Scam?
Based on:
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their long history
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my personal calls
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verified customer reviews
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custodian partnerships
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transparent fee structure
Patriot Gold Group is legitimate.
They are a real physical metals dealer with real relationships in the industry.
Their only real drawback is a lack of full pricing on their website.
Final Verdict
If you want:
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a company with decades of experience
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strong customer support
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direct pricingira
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lifetime fee waivers for large accounts
Then Patriot Gold Group is a solid choice.
If you want the MOST transparent fee structure and the highest reputation in the industry, then my top recommendation remains Augusta Precious Metals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Patriot Gold Group good for beginners?
Yes. Their reps explain everything slowly and clearly, and they do not make you feel stupid for asking basic questions. When I personally called, they walked me through how gold IRAs work, what the risks are, and what I should realistically expect, instead of trying to push me into a quick sale. If you are new to precious metals and want someone to hold your hand through the process, they are actually a comfortable place to start.
Does Patriot Gold Group guarantee metal values?
No. Like any real investment, gold and silver go up and down based on the market, so no serious company can promise you fixed returns. What Patriot Gold Group does instead is help you understand how metals historically behaved during inflation, market stress, or currency issues, so you can decide if that fits your long term strategy. Think of them as a facilitator and educator, not a company that can control prices.
Can I store IRA metals at home?
No. If the metals are inside an IRA, IRS rules say they must be held at an approved depository, not in your house or personal safe. Patriot Gold Group explains this clearly on the phone and actually warns against the so called home storage tricks that some marketers hype up. For non IRA purchases though, you are free to store the metals at home if that is what you want.
Does Patriot Gold Group sell physical gold?
Yes. Patriot Gold Group sells real physical gold in the form of coins and bars, not just paper products or certificates. You can buy for an IRA, where the metals go to a secure depository, or you can buy for direct personal ownership and have them shipped to you. The same applies to silver, and in some cases platinum and palladium, depending on availability.
What is the minimum to start?
For most people who want a precious metals IRA, the practical starting point sits somewhere between 15,000 and 50,000 dollars, depending on the custodian and the structure of the account. Direct purchases for personal delivery usually start around 10,000 for your first order, then the minimum drops for future buys. The best move is to call and tell them the amount you are comfortable with so they can tell you exactly which options open up at that level.