by
Garrett Clark
Investment Guidance
Unlocking Wealth: Types of Precious Metals You Can Invest in with a Solo 401(k)
In this blog, we’ll break down the different types of precious metals you can invest in through your Solo 401(k), including gold, silver, bullion bars, junk silver, monster boxes, and more — and how each can support your retirement strategy
Search
Search
Category
Any Question?
Let’s talk
Any Question?
Let’s talk
Search
Search
Category
Any Question?
Let’s talk
When diversifying your retirement portfolio, most investors immediately consider stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. But for savvy, self-directed investors using a Solo 401(k), precious metals open the door to tangible, inflation-resistant assets with long-term value. With a self-directed Solo 401(k), you’re not confined to traditional paper assets — you can invest in IRS-approved physical precious metals that offer both security and upside potential.
1. Gold: The Timeless Standard
Why Gold?
Gold has served as a universal store of value for thousands of years. It’s widely recognized, highly liquid, and historically used as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation.
Eligible Forms in a Solo 401(k):
American Gold Eagle coins
Canadian Gold Maple Leafs
Australian Kangaroo/Nuggets
Gold bars and rounds (must be .995 fineness or higher and minted by an approved refiner)
How to Store:
Gold must be held in an IRS-approved depository (not in your possession) when part of a Solo 401(k).
2. Silver: The Affordable Hedge
Why Silver?
Silver is often called “the poor man’s gold,” but don’t let the nickname fool you. Silver has significant industrial demand in electronics, solar panels, and medical devices, making it both a precious and industrial metal.
Eligible Forms in a Solo 401(k):
American Silver Eagles
Canadian Silver Maple Leafs
Australian Silver Koalas and Kangaroos
Silver bars and rounds (minimum .999 fineness)
Benefits:
Lower price point allows for more flexibility
Higher upside potential during inflationary or high-demand periods
3. Bullion Bars: Big Weight, Big Value
What Are Bullion Bars?
Bullion bars are simply large, high-purity bars of gold, silver, platinum, or palladium, commonly used by institutional and high-net-worth investors.
Solo 401(k) Considerations:
Must be manufactured by COMEX or NYMEX-approved refiners
Typically available in 1 oz, 10 oz, and 1 kg sizes (or larger)
Why Invest?
Bullion bars often carry lower premiums over spot price, making them cost-effective for large-scale investors looking for maximum metal content at the best price.
4. Junk Silver: Old Coins with Real Value
What Is Junk Silver?
“Junk silver” refers to U.S. coins minted before 1965 that contain 90% silver. These include:
Dimes (Mercury, Roosevelt)
Quarters (Washington)
Half dollars (Franklin, Kennedy)
Why It’s Attractive in a Solo 401(k):
Historical legal tender status
High recognition and ease of liquidation
Often offer lower premiums than modern bullion coins
Collectible upside as silver supply tightens
When diversifying your retirement portfolio, most investors immediately consider stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. But for savvy, self-directed investors using a Solo 401(k), precious metals open the door to tangible, inflation-resistant assets with long-term value. With a self-directed Solo 401(k), you’re not confined to traditional paper assets — you can invest in IRS-approved physical precious metals that offer both security and upside potential.
1. Gold: The Timeless Standard
Why Gold?
Gold has served as a universal store of value for thousands of years. It’s widely recognized, highly liquid, and historically used as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation.
Eligible Forms in a Solo 401(k):
American Gold Eagle coins
Canadian Gold Maple Leafs
Australian Kangaroo/Nuggets
Gold bars and rounds (must be .995 fineness or higher and minted by an approved refiner)
How to Store:
Gold must be held in an IRS-approved depository (not in your possession) when part of a Solo 401(k).
2. Silver: The Affordable Hedge
Why Silver?
Silver is often called “the poor man’s gold,” but don’t let the nickname fool you. Silver has significant industrial demand in electronics, solar panels, and medical devices, making it both a precious and industrial metal.
Eligible Forms in a Solo 401(k):
American Silver Eagles
Canadian Silver Maple Leafs
Australian Silver Koalas and Kangaroos
Silver bars and rounds (minimum .999 fineness)
Benefits:
Lower price point allows for more flexibility
Higher upside potential during inflationary or high-demand periods
3. Bullion Bars: Big Weight, Big Value
What Are Bullion Bars?
Bullion bars are simply large, high-purity bars of gold, silver, platinum, or palladium, commonly used by institutional and high-net-worth investors.
Solo 401(k) Considerations:
Must be manufactured by COMEX or NYMEX-approved refiners
Typically available in 1 oz, 10 oz, and 1 kg sizes (or larger)
Why Invest?
Bullion bars often carry lower premiums over spot price, making them cost-effective for large-scale investors looking for maximum metal content at the best price.
4. Junk Silver: Old Coins with Real Value
What Is Junk Silver?
“Junk silver” refers to U.S. coins minted before 1965 that contain 90% silver. These include:
Dimes (Mercury, Roosevelt)
Quarters (Washington)
Half dollars (Franklin, Kennedy)
Why It’s Attractive in a Solo 401(k):
Historical legal tender status
High recognition and ease of liquidation
Often offer lower premiums than modern bullion coins
Collectible upside as silver supply tightens
"Precious metals don’t just hold value — they hold the power to protect your future. A Solo 401(k) lets you turn gold and silver into long-term security, one ounce at a time."
Garrett Clark
Director of Sales
5. Monster Boxes: Bulk Investing Made Easy
What Is a Monster Box?
A Monster Box is a bulk container that holds 500 government-issued silver bullion coins, such as Silver American Eagles. It’s sealed and comes directly from the mint.
Solo 401(k) Benefits:
Ideal for long-term investors who want high-volume silver exposure
Sealed packaging adds authenticity and security
Lower per-coin premium due to volume
Note:
These boxes are especially popular among investors who want quick scalability and low transaction frequency.
6. Other Eligible Metals: Platinum and Palladium
Though less common, platinum and palladium are also IRS-approved for Solo 401(k) investment if they meet certain purity standards:
Platinum: .9995+ purity
Palladium: .9995+ purity
Coins like the American Platinum Eagle and Canadian Palladium Maple Leaf qualify.
Why Consider?
These metals are rarer and have growing industrial applications, particularly in the automotive and clean energy sectors.
Final Thoughts
Precious metals are more than shiny assets — they’re strategic, inflation-resistant components of a diversified retirement plan. With a Solo 401(k), you gain the freedom to invest in gold, silver, junk coins, bullion bars, and more, all while staying within the tax-advantaged umbrella of a qualified retirement account.
Whether you're looking to protect your wealth, diversify away from Wall Street, or prepare for long-term economic uncertainty, investing in precious metals with a Solo 401(k) could be one of the smartest moves you make.
Ready to learn more about your precious metals investing options?
Visit Survival401k.com to get started and unlock the full power of your Solo 401(k).
5. Monster Boxes: Bulk Investing Made Easy
What Is a Monster Box?
A Monster Box is a bulk container that holds 500 government-issued silver bullion coins, such as Silver American Eagles. It’s sealed and comes directly from the mint.
Solo 401(k) Benefits:
Ideal for long-term investors who want high-volume silver exposure
Sealed packaging adds authenticity and security
Lower per-coin premium due to volume
Note:
These boxes are especially popular among investors who want quick scalability and low transaction frequency.
6. Other Eligible Metals: Platinum and Palladium
Though less common, platinum and palladium are also IRS-approved for Solo 401(k) investment if they meet certain purity standards:
Platinum: .9995+ purity
Palladium: .9995+ purity
Coins like the American Platinum Eagle and Canadian Palladium Maple Leaf qualify.
Why Consider?
These metals are rarer and have growing industrial applications, particularly in the automotive and clean energy sectors.
Final Thoughts
Precious metals are more than shiny assets — they’re strategic, inflation-resistant components of a diversified retirement plan. With a Solo 401(k), you gain the freedom to invest in gold, silver, junk coins, bullion bars, and more, all while staying within the tax-advantaged umbrella of a qualified retirement account.
Whether you're looking to protect your wealth, diversify away from Wall Street, or prepare for long-term economic uncertainty, investing in precious metals with a Solo 401(k) could be one of the smartest moves you make.
Ready to learn more about your precious metals investing options?
Visit Survival401k.com to get started and unlock the full power of your Solo 401(k).
When diversifying your retirement portfolio, most investors immediately consider stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. But for savvy, self-directed investors using a Solo 401(k), precious metals open the door to tangible, inflation-resistant assets with long-term value. With a self-directed Solo 401(k), you’re not confined to traditional paper assets — you can invest in IRS-approved physical precious metals that offer both security and upside potential.
1. Gold: The Timeless Standard
Why Gold?
Gold has served as a universal store of value for thousands of years. It’s widely recognized, highly liquid, and historically used as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation.
Eligible Forms in a Solo 401(k):
American Gold Eagle coins
Canadian Gold Maple Leafs
Australian Kangaroo/Nuggets
Gold bars and rounds (must be .995 fineness or higher and minted by an approved refiner)
How to Store:
Gold must be held in an IRS-approved depository (not in your possession) when part of a Solo 401(k).
2. Silver: The Affordable Hedge
Why Silver?
Silver is often called “the poor man’s gold,” but don’t let the nickname fool you. Silver has significant industrial demand in electronics, solar panels, and medical devices, making it both a precious and industrial metal.
Eligible Forms in a Solo 401(k):
American Silver Eagles
Canadian Silver Maple Leafs
Australian Silver Koalas and Kangaroos
Silver bars and rounds (minimum .999 fineness)
Benefits:
Lower price point allows for more flexibility
Higher upside potential during inflationary or high-demand periods
3. Bullion Bars: Big Weight, Big Value
What Are Bullion Bars?
Bullion bars are simply large, high-purity bars of gold, silver, platinum, or palladium, commonly used by institutional and high-net-worth investors.
Solo 401(k) Considerations:
Must be manufactured by COMEX or NYMEX-approved refiners
Typically available in 1 oz, 10 oz, and 1 kg sizes (or larger)
Why Invest?
Bullion bars often carry lower premiums over spot price, making them cost-effective for large-scale investors looking for maximum metal content at the best price.
4. Junk Silver: Old Coins with Real Value
What Is Junk Silver?
“Junk silver” refers to U.S. coins minted before 1965 that contain 90% silver. These include:
Dimes (Mercury, Roosevelt)
Quarters (Washington)
Half dollars (Franklin, Kennedy)
Why It’s Attractive in a Solo 401(k):
Historical legal tender status
High recognition and ease of liquidation
Often offer lower premiums than modern bullion coins
Collectible upside as silver supply tightens
"Precious metals don’t just hold value — they hold the power to protect your future. A Solo 401(k) lets you turn gold and silver into long-term security, one ounce at a time."
Garrett Clark
Director of Sales
5. Monster Boxes: Bulk Investing Made Easy
What Is a Monster Box?
A Monster Box is a bulk container that holds 500 government-issued silver bullion coins, such as Silver American Eagles. It’s sealed and comes directly from the mint.
Solo 401(k) Benefits:
Ideal for long-term investors who want high-volume silver exposure
Sealed packaging adds authenticity and security
Lower per-coin premium due to volume
Note:
These boxes are especially popular among investors who want quick scalability and low transaction frequency.
6. Other Eligible Metals: Platinum and Palladium
Though less common, platinum and palladium are also IRS-approved for Solo 401(k) investment if they meet certain purity standards:
Platinum: .9995+ purity
Palladium: .9995+ purity
Coins like the American Platinum Eagle and Canadian Palladium Maple Leaf qualify.
Why Consider?
These metals are rarer and have growing industrial applications, particularly in the automotive and clean energy sectors.
Final Thoughts
Precious metals are more than shiny assets — they’re strategic, inflation-resistant components of a diversified retirement plan. With a Solo 401(k), you gain the freedom to invest in gold, silver, junk coins, bullion bars, and more, all while staying within the tax-advantaged umbrella of a qualified retirement account.
Whether you're looking to protect your wealth, diversify away from Wall Street, or prepare for long-term economic uncertainty, investing in precious metals with a Solo 401(k) could be one of the smartest moves you make.
Ready to learn more about your precious metals investing options?
Visit Survival401k.com to get started and unlock the full power of your Solo 401(k).