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American Hartford Gold Review: Fees, Pros and Cons Analysis
Read our comprehensive analysis of American Hartford Gold, covering customer sentiment, reviews, company accolades, shortcomings, and complaints.
We have analyzed over 5,000 American Hartford Gold reviews to date.
Last updated: May 29
American Hartford Gold (AHG) is a leading U.S. gold IRA company and precious metals dealer based in Los Angeles, California. The company was founded in 2015 by Forbes Council member Sanford Mann. Sanford earned a degree in Economics from Connecticut State University and held several high-level financial management roles in New York City before founding American Hartford Gold.
Since 2015, the company has built a strong reputation for helping retirement investors protect their retirement savings through gold and silver investments.
In 2025, American Hartford Gold continues to offer a straightforward way to set up a gold or silver IRA, as well as the option to purchase precious metals for direct delivery. With a focus on personalized service and investor education, the company has earned high ratings from customers and organizations like the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot.
Pros & Cons
American Hartford Gold Reviews and Complaints
American Hartford Gold has a 4.7 star rating on TrustPilot, and is accredited by the Better Business Bureau where it holds an A+ rating. AHG is also a BBB-accredited business, which means it meets the BBB standards of trust regarding trustworthiness, integrity, transparency, and responsiveness. American Hartford Gold doesn’t have any major public scandals or lawsuits in its history.
This is the only precious metals company trusted and recommended by Bill O’Reilly, Rick Harrison and Piers Morgan.
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BBB Rating: A+ and 4.89 star review based on 649 customer reviews;
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BBB Complaints: 23 complaints resolved in last 3 years;
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BCA Rating: AA and 5 star rating based on 15 customer reviews;
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BCA Complaints: 2 complaints resolved in the last 3 years;
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Trustpilot: 4.7 star rating based on 1,197 customer reviews.
Products and Pricing
American Hartford Gold offers a diverse selection of precious metal products, including gold, silver, and platinum coins and bars, tailored for investors looking to diversify their portfolios or set up a gold IRA. Here’s a breakdown of their offerings:
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Gold Products: Investors can choose from coins like the Gold American Buffalo, Gold American Eagle, and Gold Canadian Buffalo.
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Silver Products: Options include the Silver Canadian Gyrfalcon and the Silver American Eagle.
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Platinum Products: Available coins are the Platinum American Eagle, Platinum Austrian Philharmonic, and Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf.
Notably, American Hartford Gold does not offer palladium coins or bars. Pricing information is also absent from their website, requiring customers to call a toll-free number to get details.
The most popular products are the American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, and St. Helena Sovereign. However, the lack of transparent pricing online can be inconvenient and may deter some potential buyers. For the latest pricing, customers are directed to contact the company or visit their product page.
Premium Coins
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Characteristics: These coins meet IRA purity standards but are part of limited-edition, collectible series from mints, classifying them as semi-numismatic.
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Pricing: Their scarcity often leads to higher markups when purchased from dealers.
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Appeal: They attract collectors or investors seeking potential added value from rarity.
Standard Bullion Coins
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Examples: Includes widely recognized coins like the Austrian Philharmonic, American Eagle, and Canadian Maple Leaf.
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Purity and Cost: These coins boast the same high purity (99.99%) as premium coins but are more affordable due to larger production runs.
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Best For: Investors focused on adding precious metals to their IRA at a lower cost, prioritizing value over collectability.
For most investors, standard bullion coins are the practical choice, offering high purity and affordability without the premium price tag.
American Hartford Gold provides two main investment options for those interested in precious metals: gold IRAs and direct purchases of gold and silver. Each option offers unique benefits and operates differently, giving investors flexibility based on their financial goals.
Gold IRA Fees and Minimum Investment
American Hartford Gold IRA
A gold IRA from American Hartford Gold lets you add physical gold to your retirement account. Unlike many other precious metals companies, American Hartford Gold stands out by offering no minimum investment to start a gold IRA.
Typically, competitors require investments above the IRS contribution limit, forcing you to roll over funds from an existing IRA or 401(k). With American Hartford Gold, you can open a cash-only account without touching your current retirement savings.
If you decide to invest more than the IRS contribution limit, the company will guide you through the IRA rollover process, ensuring full compliance with IRS rules. Here are some key features of their gold IRA:
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Buyback Commitment: When you’re ready to sell, American Hartford Gold guarantees they’ll repurchase your metals, so you won’t need to search for a buyer.
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Safe Storage: IRS regulations require that your precious metals be stored in approved depositories. You can choose between Brink’s Global Services or Delaware Depository Services Company.
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Expert Support: Their customer service team and experts assist you throughout the process, ensuring compliance with IRS guidelines while helping you maximize your retirement funds.
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Certified Products: As a trusted company, they ensure you’re not sold counterfeit or low-quality metals.
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IRS-Approved Metals: Only metals meeting IRS standards for purity and type are used in your IRA.
Direct Purchases of Gold and Silver
For investors seeking more control, American Hartford Gold offers direct purchases of gold and silver. This option lets you buy physical gold and silver coins or bullion, which are shipped directly to your home. Unlike a gold IRA, there are no storage restrictions, meaning you can keep the metals yourself.
Here’s why direct purchases are popular:
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Gold’s Value: Gold has been a reliable currency for thousands of years and is often seen as a safe investment during economic or geopolitical uncertainty.
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Silver’s Demand: Silver is widely used in industries like solar energy, medicine, and manufacturing, increasing its appeal to investors.
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Flexibility: You can hold your gold and silver as long as you want. When you sell, you’ll pay a straightforward capital gains tax.
Note: Since you store the metals yourself, you’re responsible for their security, unlike the IRS-approved depositories required for a gold IRA.
How to Get Started?
American Hartford Gold’s dedicated team will guide you through every step of investing in a precious metals IRA, ensuring you feel fully confident in your decision. They make the process straightforward and stress-free, providing expert support from start to finish.
For most customers, opening a gold IRA with American Hartford Gold involves these simple steps:
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Request a free info guide: American Hartford Gold offers free educational materials to help you learn about precious metals investing. You can request this guide without any obligation or commitment.
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Talk to an IRA specialist: A knowledgeable IRA account specialist from American Hartford Gold will reach out to answer your questions and provide personalized advice.
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Fund your self-directed IRA: There’s no minimum investment required to start, so you can begin with any amount. If you want to invest more than the IRS annual contribution limit, the team will assist you with an IRA rollover from another retirement account, ensuring compliance with IRS regulations.
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Purchase your gold and silver: Once your account is funded, you can decide how to invest in physical gold, choosing between options like bullion or coins. American Hartford Gold will handle the details to secure your investment.
Throughout the entire process, American Hartford Gold’s team is available to support you, answer your questions, and ensure you feel comfortable with every decision you make.
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Rated: 9.8 out of 10
FAQs
What Is American Hartford Gold and What Does It Offer?
American Hartford Gold is a Los Angeles-based company specializing in precious metals, such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. It provides options for investors to purchase physical metals for direct delivery or to include them in a self-directed Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
Clients can diversify their investment portfolios or safeguard their retirement savings through these offerings. The company also partners with trusted storage facilities, like Delaware Depository and Brinks Global Services, ensuring secure handling of assets.
Is American Hartford Gold a Trustworthy Company?
American Hartford Gold is a reputable business known for its reliability and dedication to customer satisfaction.
It holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has been accredited by the BBB since 2016, reflecting its commitment to ethical practices and client trust.
Numerous positive reviews and low number of complaints on platforms like Trustpilot and Google further affirm its strong standing in the industry.
How Does American Hartford Gold Differ from Other Precious Metal Dealers?
This company caters to investors with substantial funds who are willing to invest $10,000 and more. They offer tailored solutions for larger accounts.
It provides a wide range of high-quality gold, silver, and other metal products at competitive prices. For clients opening accounts with significant deposits, American Hartford Gold may reduce or waive certain fees after discussions with a representative, making it an attractive choice for high-value investors.
Additionally, its buyback program allows clients to sell metals back without extra fees, adding convenience.
What Fees Are Associated with American Hartford Gold?
Investing with American Hartford Gold involves a $230 account setup fee and an annual fee of $200 for storage, insurance, and custodial services.
Additional costs may apply depending on the size of the account and the types of metals selected. To get a clear picture of all fees, contacting a company representative is necessary, as some charges may be adjusted or waived based on account details. The company’s price match guarantee also ensures competitive pricing.
Is American Hartford Gold Suitable for New Investors?
While American Hartford Gold does a great job serving experienced investors with larger portfolios, it may not be the ideal choice for beginners. Other companies, such as Goldco, don’t have an investment minimum and prioritize customer education.
