We earn commissions from featured brands, which impact the order and presentation of listings
Advertising Disclosure

This website is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).

This website does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. This website may use other proprietary factors to impact card offer listings on the website such as consumer selection or the likelihood of the applicant’s credit approval.

This allows us to maintain a full-time, editorial staff and work with finance experts you know and trust. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impacts any of the editorial content on The Smart Investor.

While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, The Smart Investor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

Learn more about how we review products and read our advertiser disclosure for how we make money. All products are presented without warranty.

Search
Investing » American Hartford Gold Buying Guide: Coins, Bars, and IRAs

American Hartford Gold Buying Guide: Coins, Bars, and IRAs

Discover your options for buying gold coins and bars with American Hartford Gold, including home delivery and real-time pricing.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: April 1, 2025
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: April 1, 2025

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

The information provided on this website is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. We do not provide personalized investment recommendations or act as financial advisors.

Table Of Content

American Hartford Gold is a trusted precious metals dealer headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

The company is known for helping Americans protect their savings through physical gold, offering both direct purchases and Gold IRA options.

They primarily serve conservative investors seeking to hedge against inflation and market uncertainty with physical gold assets.

Here’s what current customer reviews look like:

Platform
Rating
Trustpilot
4.7 (1,373 reviews)
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
A+ | Accredited Since 2016
Consumer Affairs
4.6 (891 reviews)

American Hartford Gold

How to Invest in Gold American Hartford Gold

Let’s walk through the process of buying gold from American Hartford Gold and what it required from investors:

1. Define Your Gold Investment Strategy

Before you buy gold, it’s important to decide what you’re trying to achieve and how you’d like to hold your investment.

American Hartford Gold offers flexible solutions that include home delivery of gold or setting up a Gold IRA using your retirement savings.

Ask yourself the following:

  • Do you want gold delivered to your door, or stored in a secure retirement account?

  • Are you investing for long-term tax advantages or short-term access?

  • What is your preferred form of gold—coins, bars, or both?

Take time to understand whether tax deferral (via a Gold IRA) or liquidity (via direct delivery) matters more to you. American Hartford Gold can help you optimize for both—but only if your priorities are clear.

2. Open a Gold IRA or Buy Gold for Direct Delivery

American Hartford Gold provides a streamlined and supportive onboarding process. Whether you’re new to gold or experienced, you’ll get a personal account executive to guide you through everything.

You can also purchase gold outright. The process typically includes:

  • Reviewing available gold coins and bars

  • Locking in the live market price

  • Paying via bank wire or check

  • Receiving fully insured and discreet delivery to your home

gold coins, American Hartford Gold
Gold coins, American Hartford Gold

They’ll help you:

  • Open a self-directed IRA through partners like Equity Trust or GoldStar Trust

  • Rollover or transfer funds from existing retirement accounts

  • Choose IRS-approved gold coins or bars

  • Store your metals in a secure, IRS-compliant facility (like Delaware Depository or Brink’s)

gold IRA products, American Hartford Gold
Gold IRA products, American Hartford Gold

3. Explore Gold Products Offered by American Hartford Gold

American Hartford Gold focuses on widely recognized, investment-grade gold products. They do not sell collectibles or rare coins, making it easier for investors to stick with IRS-approved, high-purity options.

While their website doesn’t show real-time inventory, your account rep will walk you through current availability and help you choose the right mix for your goals.

Here’s a sample of the gold products they typically offer:

Product Name
Type
IRA-Eligible
Typical Weight Options
American Gold Eagle
Coin
Yes
1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz
Canadian Gold Maple Leaf
Coin
Yes
1 oz
Gold Bars (various mints)
Bar
Yes
1 oz, 10 oz
American Gold Buffalo
Coin
Yes
1 oz
Austrian Gold Philharmonic
Coin
Yes
1 oz

If you're investing a smaller amount, consider fractional coins like 1/10 oz Eagles. They offer greater flexibility later if you plan to sell or gift part of your holdings.

1oz gold bar, sunshine minting, American Hartford Gold
1oz gold bar, sunshine minting, American Hartford Gold

4. Lock In the Price and Finalize Your Order

Once you’ve selected your gold, American Hartford Gold allows you to lock in your price based on real-time market rates. This protects you from fluctuations and secures your final cost before payment.

You’ll then receive an official confirmation and invoice, including:

  • Final pricing per item

  • Accepted payment method instructions

  • Shipping or storage details

Payment options typically include:

  • Bank Wire – Fastest and preferred

  • Check – Accepted but slower

  • IRA Transfer or Rollover – For retirement accounts only

Your account specialist stays involved throughout the process to ensure everything moves smoothly.

5. Choose Home Delivery or Secure Storage

American Hartford Gold supports both at-home storage and IRS-approved depository options. You can choose whichever suits your investment structure.

If you're buying outside of an IRA, you can have your gold shipped directly to your home. Deliveries are:

  • Fully insured and discreet

  • Packaged securely and require signature confirmation

  • Shipped with tracking and white-glove support

For retirement accounts, gold is stored securely in IRS-approved depositories like:

  • Delaware Depository

  • Brink’s Global Services

Your assets are held under your name with complete insurance and regular reporting to meet IRS standards.

Buying Gold at American Hartford Gold: Top Tips

Paying the right price for gold means more metal in your portfolio and better long-term returns. Use these strategies to maximize value:

  • Watch for Promotions: American Hartford Gold occasionally offers silver bonuses or fee waivers with qualifying orders.

  • Ask About Volume Discounts: Larger orders may qualify for lower per-ounce premiums.

  • Focus on IRA-Eligible Bullion: These tend to have better resale value and lower markup than collectible coins.

  • Use Live Pricing: Lock in real-time pricing when placing your order to avoid unexpected fluctuations.

  • Avoid Overpaying on Small Coins: Fractional gold has higher premiums—go with 1 oz coins or bars when possible.

  • Compare Product Premiums: Ask your rep which coins have the lowest markup on any given day.

  • Time the Market: While timing isn’t everything, buying on dips (even slight ones) can make a difference.

  • Stick with Popular Products: Easier to resell and often come with tighter bid/ask spreads.

What Else Do You Get with American Hartford Gold?

Beyond basic purchasing and storage, American Hartford Gold provides several value-added services that support gold investors in managing and growing their wealth:

  • Free Educational Resources: Includes a Gold Information Guide, articles, and regular updates on market trends.

  • Rollover Support for Retirement Accounts: Hands-on help with IRA, 401(k), and TSP rollovers.

  • No-Fees Buyback Option: A simple, client-friendly process to sell back your gold without extra charges.

  • Price Matching Guarantee: They may match prices from other dealers on comparable products.

  • Dedicated Account Reps: Personal support throughout your investment journey—not just at the time of sale.

  • Secure Tracking for Shipments: Full insurance and tracking for all deliveries.

FAQ

No, American Hartford Gold does not accept credit card payments for gold purchases. Accepted methods include bank wire, check, or IRA transfer.

They primarily focus on investment-grade bullion coins and bars. Rare or collectible coins are generally not part of their standard offerings.

American Hartford Gold operates primarily by phone and online. They do not have a public showroom for walk-in purchases.

Yes, you can set up a joint account or simply add your spouse as a co-owner or beneficiary. This can help with estate planning.

Orders are typically final once the price is locked, due to the nature of market fluctuations. Contact your rep immediately for available options.

Most deliveries are made within 5–10 business days after payment clears. Your rep can provide exact shipping timelines based on order size and availability.

Yes, your gold is fully transferable and can be sold to any buyer. While American Hartford Gold offers a buyback option, you’re not obligated to use it.

Picture of Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
Search
Best Investing Brokers
Top Offers From Our Partners

empower logo

Personal Finance & Investing Tools
Budgeting, goal planning, net worth, cash flow, tax minimizing, personalized portfolio construction, tracking and adjustments
Talk to Financial Advisors

acorns-logo

Smart Portfolios by Experts
Cash Account with 1.00% – 3.00% APY

Promotion:
$5 Sign up, add $5 or more to your personal portfolio, and Stash give you a $5 bonus to start. 
Investing, Banking & Retirement Options

Wide Range of Cryptocurrencies
Supports a large number of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and many altcoins.
Coinbase Wallet
Provides a non-custodial wallet where users have control over their private keys, supports a wide range of crypto assets and decentralized applications (DApps).

Buy and Sell Crypto witH IRA
Buy and Sell Gold & Silver with IRA
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

#1 In Investing

Our Newsletter

Access investment tips, expert investment strategies, key market updates, and exclusive opportunities to grow your wealth

This website is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).

This website does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. This website may use other proprietary factors to impact card offer listings on the website such as consumer selection or the likelihood of the applicant’s credit approval.

This allows us to maintain a full-time, editorial staff and work with finance experts you know and trust. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impacts any of the editorial content on The Smart Investor.

While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, The Smart Investor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

Learn more about how we review products and read our advertiser disclosure for how we make money. All products are presented without warranty.