GOLD SILVER PLATINUM PALLADIUM

No pressure, no obligation: just a clear picture of your options.

Start with a five-minute goals conversation.

A financial consultation in a warm, classic office

What Sentry does differently

Recommended product Bullion-first guidance, always
Collectible coins No numismatic upsell
Fees Setup, storage, and spread — itemized
Your IRA Rocket Dollar, an independent self-directed IRA provider, establishes your retirement account, which is held by its regulated custody partner.
Your funds Your funds are never in Sentry Bullion’s custody.
Your metals Your metals are delivered to an insured, IRS-approved depository and stay fully segregated.

Cases the regulators brought

A joint CFTC and state case

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission and 30 state regulators announced the filing of a joint civil enforcement action against two precious metals dealers and their companies.

The complaint alleges that the defendants fraudulently solicited and received over $185 million in customer funds, including more than $140 million in retirement savings, from at least 1,600 persons throughout the United States for the purpose of purchasing precious metals bullion.

The complaint alleges that the overcharges averaged from 100 percent to more than 300 percent over the prevailing market price.

The complaint also alleges that the defendants falsely claimed that the precious metals bullion were rare and carried a premium far above the base melt value.

Source: CFTC press release 8254-20, September 2020.

A federal securities case

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced charges against Red Rock Secured LLC, its CEO, and two of its former Senior Account Executives.

According to the SEC’s complaint, the defendants solicited investors through false and misleading statements, telling them to “protect” their retirement savings by selling securities held in their federal employee Thrift Savings Plan accounts, 401(k) plans, and Individual Retirement Accounts to invest in gold or silver coins at only a 1 to 5 percent markup.

The SEC alleges that, in reality, Red Rock charged as much as 130 percent in markups, which allowed them to pocket more than $30 million of the more than $50 million they received from investors.

Source: SEC press release 2023-93.

What the CFTC and FINRA advise

In one case, a customer rolled over a $300,000 IRA, and the dealer allegedly took $150,000 in fees and commissions.

Some fraudulent dealers have charged spreads of more than 300 percent, while spreads at other dealers can be below 20 percent.

The greater the spread and other transaction or ongoing costs, the more the spot price would have to rise for you to make a profit.

Ask for all fees, costs, commissions, and agreed retail price in writing BEFORE signing a sales agreement or turning over any money.

Source: CFTC and FINRA customer advisory, 10 Things to Ask Before Buying Physical Gold, Silver, or Other Metals.

A final state and federal judgment

A federal court entered a final judgment imposing approximately $25.6 million in restitution and an equal civil monetary penalty against a metals firm and its owner for operating a fraudulent scheme targeting elderly and retirement-aged individuals.

According to the court’s findings, the defendants solicited approximately $68 million, the majority of which was retirement savings, from at least 450 persons for the purpose of purchasing precious metals, primarily consisting of silver coins.

The court found that the defendants systematically and widely disseminated false and misleading information and fraudulently overcharged customers for the precious metals they sold.

Source: Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, November 2025.

What regulators say to ask

What is a gold IRA?

Rocket Dollar, an independent self-directed IRA provider, establishes your retirement account, which is held by its regulated custody partner.

What is the spread?

Every purchase carries a dealer premium over spot; that premium is itemized and disclosed to you in writing before you authorize anything.

What fees and commissions will I be charged?

Rocket Dollar charges a flat monthly fee plus a one-time setup fee — published upfront, not buried in spreads.

What’s the difference between bullion, numismatic, or semi-numismatic?

No numismatic upsell: IRS-eligible sovereign coins and refiner bars, such as American Eagles and Buffaloes, Maple Leafs, and PAMP, Perth Mint and American Reserve bars.

What a markup does when you spend $100,000

A markup is paid when you buy. The higher it is, the less metal the same dollars buy. Move the slider to see an illustration, not a quote.

5%

Illustration only, not a price quote. Spreads vary by product and market.

Metal you own $95,238
Paid to the dealer on day one $4,762

At this markup the metal’s price would have to rise by about 5% before the metal is worth what you paid.

What standing watch actually means

Bullion-first

No commissioned push into numismatic coins. Ever.

Transparent pricing

Setup, storage, and spread — shown before you commit.

Human specialists

Real people for rollovers and IRS compliance questions.

Insured storage

Choose from IRS-approved depositories, fully insured.

Your account is independent of us

Rocket Dollar

Rocket Dollar, an independent self-directed IRA provider, establishes your retirement account, which is held by its regulated custody partner.

The depository

Your metals are delivered to an insured, IRS-approved depository and stay fully segregated.

Sentry Bullion

Your funds are never in Sentry Bullion’s custody.

At home

Home storage of IRA-owned metals is not permitted.

Fair questions, straight answers

Do you sell collectible coins?

No numismatic upsell: IRS-eligible sovereign coins and refiner bars, such as American Eagles and Buffaloes, Maple Leafs, and PAMP, Perth Mint and American Reserve bars.

What do I actually pay?

Every purchase carries a dealer premium over spot; that premium is itemized and disclosed to you in writing before you authorize anything.

Can I think it over first?

No pressure, no obligation — just a clear picture of your options.

Where is my metal stored?

Your metals are delivered to an insured, IRS-approved depository and stay fully segregated.

Can gold lose value?

Precious metals carry risk, including loss of principal. Prices fluctuate.

A security guard standing watch beside a vault of gold bars

Guarding your retirement, one ounce at a time.

Start with a five-minute goals conversation. No pressure, no obligation — just a clear picture of your options.

Get the free guide

A free 5-page guide: why investors hold physical gold and silver, and how to choose between a self-directed IRA and a direct cash purchase.

Neither text-message box is required to get the guide. You can withdraw consent at any time by texting STOP or emailing info@sentrybullion.com. We never sell your information. See our Privacy Policy and Terms.

Important disclosures

Sentry Bullion is a precious metals dealer. We are not a bank, trust company, IRS-approved custodian or non-bank trustee, broker-dealer, or registered investment adviser, and we do not provide investment, tax, or legal advice. Nothing on this site is a recommendation to buy or sell any product, and no communication with us creates a fiduciary relationship. Sentry Bullion is compensated through the sale of precious metals products.

Precious metals carry risk, including loss of principal. Prices fluctuate and holdings may be worth more or less than their original cost when sold. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Physical metals are generally less liquid than securities and are best considered over a multi-year horizon. Spot prices shown on this site are indicative only and are not a quote or an offer to transact; every purchase carries a dealer premium over spot, which is itemized and disclosed to you in writing before you authorize any transaction.

Self-directed IRA accounts are established with Rocket Dollar, an independent provider, and held by its regulated custody partner; metals are stored at an independent insured depository. Rocket Dollar and the depository set and bill their own setup, subscription, storage, and insurance fees, which Sentry Bullion does not mark up. Only bullion meeting IRS purity and eligibility requirements may be held in an IRA, home storage of IRA-owned metals is not permitted, and distributions may be taxable or subject to penalty. Consult your own qualified tax and legal advisors before making retirement account decisions.

Please note that although Sentry Bullion and its representatives are precious metals specialists, we are not licensed or registered investment advisers, attorneys, CPA's, or other financial service professionals. We do not give any tax, financial, legal or investment advice. Additionally, be aware that precious metals, like any investment, carry risk of loss and are not a suitable investment for everyone. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results and precious metals may appreciate, depreciate, or stay the same depending on a variety of factors. Anyone who considers purchasing Precious metals, Gold American Eagles, Proof Gold American Eagles, certified gold coins, as well as gold and silver bars should consider and carefully evaluate the associated risks and acquisition costs before making the investment, and you should always consult your financial and tax professional and carefully evaluate all risks associated with the acquisition of precious metals before making the investment. It is Sentry Bullion's view that precious metals should be considered a long-term investment, and that while you can sell your precious metals at any time, you should be prepared and willing to hold any purchased precious metals for several years before selling them. Sentry Bullion cannot guarantee, and makes no representation, that any metals purchased (i.e. .999 gold bars, .9999 silver bars, or any gold or silver coins) will appreciate at all or appreciate sufficiently to produce a profit above and beyond the markup/ commissions charged whether they are bought for direct delivery or inside of a precious metals IRA. The decision to purchase or sell precious metals with funds outside or inside of a Gold IRA or a Gold Backed IRA, and which precious metals to purchase or sell, are the customer's decision alone, and purchases and sales should be made subject to the customer's own research, prudence, and judgment. By accessing any Sentry Bullion content, you agree to be bound by the terms of service. For questions regarding this disclaimer or this website please contact us at 877-315-8817.