Buying gold and silver from a trustworthy dealer matters more than in most consumer categories because product authenticity, pricing transparency, and delivery security all carry real financial consequences. The five companies below are established precious metals dealers with documented track records for selling authentic products, publishing competitive pricing, and standing behind their sales with clear buyback and customer service commitments.
| Dealer | Specialty | Standout Factor | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| APMEX | Broad selection | Inventory depth + authenticity | 4.6/5 |
| JM Bullion | Online bullion | Competitive pricing | 4.5/5 |
| Money Metals Exchange | Bullion + storage | Low premiums + IRA options | 4.4/5 |
| SD Bullion | Budget buyers | Low-premium silver | 4.4/5 |
| Kitco | Spot pricing + news | Transparency + information | 4.3/5 |
APMEX - Best Overall Precious Metals Dealer
APMEX (American Precious Metals Exchange) is one of the largest and most recognized online precious metals dealers in the US. Its product inventory covers a wider range of coins, bars, and rounds from global mints than most competitors, making it the most useful single source for collectors and investors looking for specific products. APMEX is an authorized dealer for major government mints including the US Mint, Royal Canadian Mint, and Perth Mint, providing strong authenticity assurance. Pricing is competitive and updated in real time against spot prices. Customer service is available and responsive, and insured shipping is standard. It is a reliable baseline against which other dealers should be compared.
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JM Bullion - Best for Competitive Online Bullion Pricing
JM Bullion is a widely recommended online bullion dealer for buyers prioritizing price competitiveness on standard gold and silver products. The company runs regular price comparisons against major competitors and maintains premiums that are consistently among the lowest available for common bullion items like American Eagles, Maples, and generic rounds. JM Bullion is an authorized dealer for major government mints and provides insured, tracked shipping on all orders. Its website includes live spot prices and clear premium disclosure per product. For buyers focused on accumulating standard bullion products at the lowest reliable cost, JM Bullion is one of the most consistently recommended options by the precious metals buying community.
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Money Metals Exchange - Best for Storage and IRA Options
Money Metals Exchange stands out for buyers interested in gold and silver IRA accounts or secure third-party storage alongside physical delivery. The company offers IRA-eligible precious metals and works with custodians to facilitate self-directed precious metals IRA setups. Its storage program provides insured vault storage for buyers who do not want to hold physical metal at home. Premiums on bullion products are competitive and the company publishes transparent pricing that updates with the spot market. Money Metals Exchange has received recognition from multiple investment-oriented publications for its pricing practices and customer service consistency.
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SD Bullion - Best for Low-Premium Silver Buying
SD Bullion has built a strong reputation specifically for silver buyers focused on minimizing premiums over spot price. Its pricing on silver rounds, 10 oz bars, and 100 oz bars is consistently among the lowest available from reputable dealers, making it a go-to source for buyers accumulating silver in volume. The company also carries gold products at competitive premiums and is an authorized dealer for several government mints. SD Bullion’s website provides clear spot-price-based pricing with visible premium breakdowns. Insured shipping is included. For buyers whose primary goal is cost-efficient silver accumulation from a verified legitimate dealer, SD Bullion is a well-regarded choice.
Search for silver rounds and bars bullion on Amazon
Kitco - Best for Pricing Transparency and Precious Metals Information
Kitco is best known as a precious metals information resource — its live spot price charts and market commentary are widely used by both retail buyers and professional traders. Its retail dealer operation benefits from that transparency, as buyers can directly compare product pricing to the live spot price displayed on the same platform. Kitco is a Canadian-headquartered company with a long operating history and strong recognition in the North American precious metals market. The combination of educational content, live market data, and retail purchasing in one destination makes it a useful starting point for buyers new to precious metals who want to understand pricing before committing to a purchase.
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How to Choose the Best Company to Buy Gold and Silver From
Compare premiums over spot price across at least two or three dealers before purchasing, as differences on standard products can be meaningful at volume. Verify that the dealer is an authorized distributor for government mint products if buying government coins. Confirm the shipping and insurance policy — reputable dealers ship insured with tracking as a standard practice, not an optional add-on. Check whether the dealer offers a buyback program and at what price, as the ease of reselling matters almost as much as the purchase price when evaluating the total economics of a precious metals transaction.
For related reading, see best companies to buy from and best companies in the US. Review our product evaluation process at /methodology.
Frequently asked questions
What premium over spot price is reasonable when buying gold and silver coins or bars?+
Premiums vary by product type and market conditions. Common gold bullion coins from major mints typically carry premiums of 3 to 8 percent over spot price from reputable dealers. Silver coins and rounds carry higher relative premiums, often 10 to 25 percent over spot. Lower premiums are available on large bars, but these are less liquid for small-quantity resale. Unusually low premiums from unknown sellers should be treated as a potential authenticity risk.
Is it safe to buy gold and silver online?+
Buying from established, accredited dealers with strong track records is generally safe. Look for dealers that are members of industry trade organizations, have verifiable physical business addresses, and provide insured shipping with tracking. Read recent third-party reviews from multiple platforms and verify the return and buyback policy before purchasing. Avoid sellers offering prices significantly below market or requesting unusual payment methods.