Investment Options With Lear Capital: Gold, Silver, and Beyond

Lear Capital offers two primary investment pathways for precious metals:

1. Direct physical delivery of precious metals such as gold and silver, numismatic coins, and semi-numismatic products
2. Self-directed precious metals IRAs

The best Lear Capital investment options depend on your goals: precious metals IRAs offer tax advantages for retirement savers, while direct physical delivery provides immediate ownership and accessibility. Investors can also use both approaches: building long-term, tax-deferred holdings within an IRA while maintaining physical metals outside retirement accounts for flexibility and diversification.

Based in Los Angeles operating since 1997, Lear has processed over $3 billion in transactions for more than 100,000 customers while earning an A+ Better Business Bureau rating.

What Investment Products Does Lear Capital Offer?

Lear Capital's investment offerings span physical bullion, numismatic coins, semi-numismatic products. The company facilitates transactions for gold coins ranging from American Eagles to Canadian Maple Leafs, silver products including bars and rounds, and collectible pieces with potential numismatic value.

Product Categories Available Through Lear Capital:

• Gold bullion coins: American Gold Eagles, Canadian Gold Maple Leafs, Austrian Gold Philharmonics
• Gold bullion bars: Various weights from 1 gram to 1 kilogram from approved refiners
• Silver bullion products: American Silver Eagles, Canadian Silver Maple Leafs, silver bars and rounds
• Numismatic coins: Pre-1933 U.S. gold coins, Morgan and Peace silver dollars
• Semi-numismatic pieces: Modern coins with limited mintages or special finishes
• Platinum and palladium: Available but less commonly purchased than gold and silver

Each product category serves different portfolio objectives. Bullion products track closely to spot metal prices and offer the most direct exposure to precious metals markets. Numismatic coins can carry premiums based on rarity, condition, and collector demand beyond their metal content. Semi-numismatic products fall between these categories, offering modest premiums with potential for appreciation based on mintage limits or special characteristics.

Lear Capital is accredited as an authorized dealer by the Professional Coin Grading Service and adheres to the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation coin-grading service's rigorous standard of integrity, guaranteeing coin-grading accuracy and authenticity.

For customers seeking specific product recommendations, the company assigns dedicated account representatives who provide personalized guidance based on individual investment objectives. Its highly personalized approach to customer service includes matching each customer with a dedicated account representative who helps guide them through the precious metals investment process.

How Do Precious Metals IRAs Work at Lear Capital?

Self-directed precious metals IRAs allow retirement savers to hold physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium within tax-advantaged retirement accounts. These specialized IRAs function similarly to traditional retirement accounts but require additional infrastructure, including IRS-approved custodians and secure depositories for metal storage.

Step-by-Step IRA Setup Process:

1. Application submission: Complete paperwork with Lear Capital and chosen custodian
2. Funding arrangement: Transfer or rollover funds from existing retirement accounts
3. Metal selection: Choose IRA-eligible precious metals products
4. Purchase execution: Lear Capital processes order after funds clear
5. Secure delivery: Metals ship directly to Delaware Depository for storage
6. Account management: Ongoing administration through custodian and online access

The Delaware Depository Service Company provides segregated storage, meaning an individual customer’s metals remain separated and identifiable rather than pooled with other holdings. The facility maintains bank vault security standards with 24/7 monitoring and comprehensive insurance coverage through London Underwriters.

Annual fees for Lear Capital precious metals IRAs range from $225 to $275, encompassing storage, insurance, and account management services. For IRA customers, $100 or $150 is a flat fee for storage. There is also a $125 annual maintenance fee and a $30 wire fee.

Distribution options from precious metals IRAs include both cash liquidation and physical delivery. Cash distributions require selling metals at current market prices, while in-kind distributions allow account holders to take physical possession after age 59½. Both methods carry tax implications based on account type and individual circumstances.

What Are the Direct Purchase Options for Physical Metals?

Direct purchase options allow customers to buy precious metals for personal possession rather than IRA storage. This pathway provides immediate ownership and control over physical assets, with metals shipping directly to customers' chosen addresses after payment verification.

Shipping Timeline:

Orders ship within 72 hours after payment verification, personal or cashier's checks take 10-15 business days to clear, and maximum delivery is 28 days after funds confirmation. All shipments include full insurance coverage during transit with signature required upon delivery.

Shipping Cost Structure:

For non-IRA orders, Lear Capital employs a threshold-based shipping model. Orders under $10,000 incur charges of $24 plus $1 per $1,000 of value for gold and platinum, or $24 plus $13 per $1,000 of value for silver. Orders exceeding $10,000 receive free insured shipping.

The company's 24-hour risk-free purchase guarantee allows customers to cancel their order within 24 hours without penalty. This protection addresses buyer concerns about market volatility or changing circumstances immediately after purchase. Some states provide longer cancellation windows based on local consumer protection laws.

Payment methods accepted include bank wires, personal checks, and cashier's checks. Bank wires typically provide the fastest processing, allowing orders to ship within 72 hours. Check payments require additional clearing time but offer the same pricing and product availability as wire transfers.

Which Precious Metal Option Offers the Best Value in 2025?

Gold and silver are both having standout years. Gold first crossed $3,000 per ounce on March 14, 2025, hitting $3,004.86 intraday. It went on to set fresh records in October, breaking above $4,000 in October as trade policy uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, a government shutdown, and dollar weakness converged with shifting interest rate expectations to fuel safe-haven demand.

Silver has delivered even more dramatic gains. After surging through $40 on September 1, its highest level since 2011, it pushed past $50 by October, passing its previous all-time peak of $49.45.

Part of Gold’s recent appeal is about what big, steady buyers are doing and why. Central banks have been adding large amounts of gold for three straight years. The World Gold Council’s full-year 2024 tally shows 1,086 tonnes purchased by central banks, a sharp step up from the 400–500 tonne average seen in much of the 2010s. In the Council’s 2025 Central Bank Gold Reserves Survey, 43% of reserve managers say they plan to increase their own gold holdings over the next year, and 95% expect global central-bank gold reserves to rise. Those official buyers help cushion dips and have been a key backdrop as prices have notched new highs.

Like gold, silver has benefited from increased hedging against risk, but its value is also tied to increasing industrial demand. The Silver Institute reports that industrial use hit a record 680.5 million ounces in 2024, driven by photovoltaics (solar), grid infrastructure, and parts used in electric vehicles. Industrial buyers now account for roughly half of total silver demand, per the Institute’s World Silver Survey.

Another way investors look at value is by comparing gold’s price to silver’s price: the gold-to-silver ratio. The ratio is a simple gauge of relative expensiveness. It ran very high in the spring of 2025 (around triple digits), then eased down by late July as silver played catch-up. Even now, with silver in the high-$40s and gold at record territory, the ratio sits around the low-to-mid 80s. That still leaves room for silver to narrow the gap.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lear Capital Investments

What is the minimum purchase amount at Lear Capital?

Purchase minimums can vary based on product type and whether buying for direct delivery or IRA accounts. Prospective customers should contact account representatives directly to discuss minimum order requirements for their specific situation.

Can I sell my metals back to Lear Capital?

Yes, Lear Capital operates a no-fee buyback program for customers who purchased metals through the company. While Lear cannot legally guarantee it will repurchase metals (standard industry limitation), the company has never turned down a buyback request. Buyback prices are based on current wholesale bid prices at the time of sale, not original purchase prices. The spread between purchase and buyback prices varies based on product type and market conditions.

How long does delivery take from Lear Capital?

Orders ship within 72 hours after payment verification. Personal or cashier's checks require 10-15 business days to clear before shipment. Maximum delivery occurs within 28 days after good funds confirmation. Bank wire payments typically provide the fastest processing, enabling shipment within 72 hours. All orders ship fully insured via major carriers with signature required upon delivery.

What storage options are available for IRA metals?

IRA metals purchased through Lear Capital are stored at Delaware Depository Service Company, which provides segregated storage where individual customer metals remain separated and identifiable. The facility maintains bank vault security standards with 24/7 monitoring, armed guards, and comprehensive insurance through London Underwriters. Personal storage for direct purchases remains the customer's responsibility, with options including home safes, bank safety deposit boxes, or private vaulting services.

Key Takeaways: Which Investment Option Is Best for You?

Lear Capital provides two primary pathways for precious metals investment, each serving distinct portfolio objectives. Direct physical delivery offers immediate ownership and control, while self-directed IRAs provide tax-advantaged exposure with professional storage.

Investors often combine multiple strategies rather than choosing one path exclusively. One can build long-term, tax-deferred holdings within an IRA while also maintaining physical metals outside retirement accounts for liquidity and immediate access. Retirement-focused savers can benefit from IRA tax advantages and professional storage, while simultaneously holding direct bullion for flexibility during market volatility or unexpected needs.

Similarly, gold and silver can serve different but complementary portfolio functions. Gold benefits from central bank accumulation and safe-haven demand during geopolitical uncertainty. Silver offers industrial demand growth potential from green energy and technology sectors combined with historically attractive valuations relative to gold.