Augusta Precious Metals and Blanchard and Company are two respected names in the world of physical precious metals investing. Both have long track records, strong reputations, and a shared mission of helping clients preserve and grow their wealth through gold and silver ownership. But beyond that, they take very different approaches to service, education, and investor focus.
Augusta Precious Metals is known for its education-driven model, exceptional transparency, and commitment to lifetime client relationships. The company takes time to teach investors about how a Gold IRA works, the broader economic context for metals, and how to make confident, pressure-free decisions about diversification.
Blanchard and Company, founded decades earlier, is one of America’s oldest precious metals dealers. It is especially known for its expertise in numismatic and rare coins alongside standard bullion. Its strength lies in heritage, broad selection, and deep market knowledge — appealing to collectors and investors alike.
This article compares Augusta Precious Metals and Blanchard and Company across critical dimensions including IRA minimums, fees, pricing transparency, product offerings, promotions, customer service, buyback programs, and overall reputation. We also identify which investor profile each company fits best, followed by a practical “How to Choose Between” section.
Key Takeaways
- Overall: Augusta Precious Metals and Blanchard and Company both hold A+ BBB ratings and excellent reputations for integrity and professionalism.
- IRA Minimums: Augusta’s $50,000 IRA minimum targets investors with larger rollovers who want transparency, predictability, and lifetime educational support. Blanchard offers more flexibility, with lower minimums and a wide selection that includes collectible and numismatic coins as well as bullion.
- Fees: Annual IRA fees for both are comparable — around $200–$300 depending on storage and custodian.
- Customer Support: Augusta emphasizes education, transparency, and lifetime buyback guarantees, while Blanchard emphasizes diversity, historical expertise, and asset variety.
- Bottom Line: Augusta suits investors seeking education and retirement stability; Blanchard appeals to collectors and investors wanting a broader range of metals and coins.
Company Snapshots
Minimum for Gold IRA: $50,000 to open an account or roll over.
Typical annual fees: Around $250 total for custodian and depository storage; no Augusta-specific management fees.
Promotions: No short-term promotions; focuses on long-term service, education, and trust.
Buyback: Lifetime buyback guarantee at competitive market pricing with no hidden fees.
Reputation: A+ BBB and AAA BCA ratings, near-perfect reviews, and recognized for no-pressure education.
Products: Gold and silver IRA-approved bullion coins and bars from leading mints; platinum and palladium available upon request.
2. Blanchard and Company
Minimums: IRA minimums vary by custodian but are often around $10,000–$25,000; direct purchases can start much smaller.
Typical annual fees: Approximately $200–$300 depending on custodian and storage arrangement.
Promotions: Occasionally features market insights, but rarely uses silver giveaways or fee waivers.
Buyback: Offers buyback services at current market prices, with a reputation for fair dealing.
Reputation: A+ BBB rating and decades of credibility as one of the longest-running precious metals firms in the U.S.
Products: Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion plus one of the largest inventories of rare and numismatic coins.
Head to Head Comparison
IRA Minimums
- Augusta requires a $50,000 minimum for IRA rollovers, which ensures its clients are serious long-term investors and that account fees represent a small percentage of total assets.
- Blanchard’s IRA minimums generally range from $10,000 to $25,000, depending on custodian, allowing more flexibility for smaller investors.
Verdict: Blanchard and Company wins on accessibility, but Augusta’s higher entry point aligns with its service-intensive, education-focused model.
Fees (Setup, Custodian/Admin, Storage)
- Augusta’s total annual fees average about $250, inclusive of custodian and storage. There are no Augusta markups or ongoing administrative charges beyond those.
- Blanchard’s annual IRA fees fall in the same $200–$300 range, depending on account structure and storage provider.
Verdict: Tie. Both companies are competitively priced within industry norms. Augusta’s predictability benefits long-term planners, while Blanchard’s flexibility allows for varied account types.
Pricing Transparency
- Augusta is well known for its clarity and openness. Each client is given detailed cost breakdowns, educational calls, and documentation that explain exactly how premiums, custodial fees, and storage costs work.
- Blanchard lists many product prices publicly on its website, especially for retail bullion, but IRA-specific costs are typically finalized through direct consultation.
Verdict: Augusta wins for IRA pricing transparency. Blanchard provides strong visibility for retail purchases but less upfront clarity about total IRA costs.
Product Offerings (Coins/Bars, Metals)
- Augusta focuses on IRS-approved gold and silver bullion ideal for retirement accounts. It curates products for compliance, liquidity, and quality rather than volume.
- Blanchard offers an expansive catalog of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion, plus one of the most comprehensive collections of rare and historical coins in the country.
Verdict: Blanchard and Company wins for variety. Augusta’s focus on IRA suitability is ideal for retirement investors; Blanchard’s broader range attracts collectors and hybrid investors.
Promotions & Perks
- Augusta avoids promotional gimmicks and instead delivers long-term value through transparency, education, and client support.
- Blanchard occasionally provides market research reports or insights but rarely uses promotional incentives like bonus metals or fee waivers.
Verdict: Tie. Both companies emphasize substance over promotions, with Augusta focused on education and Blanchard focused on expertise.
Customer Service & Experience
- Augusta provides lifetime support for every client, starting with a personalized web conference that explains the entire Gold IRA process in detail. Clients receive ongoing education and consistent access to specialists.
- Blanchard’s service is experienced, professional, and consultative, drawing on its decades in the market. Clients appreciate its expertise in both bullion and numismatics.
Verdict: Augusta wins. Blanchard offers professional, knowledgeable service, but Augusta’s lifetime support and educational depth give it the edge for long-term investors.
Buyback Programs
- Augusta guarantees lifetime buybacks, providing liquidity and reassurance for investors who may eventually wish to sell their metals.
- Blanchard offers buyback services at market rates but does not provide a formal guarantee or structured lifetime policy.
Verdict: Augusta wins decisively. Its lifetime buyback program ensures predictable liquidity, a major advantage for retirement investors.
Reputation & Reviews
- Augusta maintains pristine ratings with the BBB, BCA, and TrustLink, with nearly zero complaints and consistent five-star reviews highlighting transparency and patience.
- Blanchard has maintained a strong reputation over decades, known for reliability, market insight, and historical authority in the metals space.
Verdict: Both companies have long-standing reputations, but Augusta’s spotless service record and educational emphasis make it a modern standard-bearer for Gold IRAs.
Which Company Suits Your Needs Best?
Augusta Precious Metals is ideal if you want to:
- Open or roll over an IRA of $50,000 or more and work with a firm that prioritizes transparency, education, and lifetime partnership.
- Learn about Gold IRAs in detail through one-on-one web sessions that cover market conditions, inflation, and long-term asset protection.
- Partner with a company that offers a guaranteed lifetime buyback program, ensuring liquidity and peace of mind.
- Enjoy predictable, clear fees and ongoing educational support that guide your retirement metals strategy for decades.
Blanchard and Company is ideal if you want to:
- Start with a smaller investment and maintain flexibility to purchase both IRA-eligible bullion and collectible coins.
- Work with one of the oldest, most experienced names in precious metals that blends retail trading and collector expertise.
- Access a large variety of metals, including rare and numismatic pieces beyond standard bullion.
- Collaborate with a firm that understands the historical and aesthetic appeal of precious metals, not just their retirement value.
Practical Cost Illustration
Both companies charge similar IRA fees, averaging about $250 annually.
Blanchard’s flexible pricing and variety appeal to smaller investors who may wish to add collectible coins to their holdings.
Augusta’s clear, consistent fee model appeals to those focused purely on retirement security and transparent long-term costs.
While Blanchard provides variety, Augusta provides stability — and over years of ownership, predictability can outweigh flexibility.
Service Model & Setup Experience
Augusta’s process begins with education, not sales. Every client participates in a comprehensive introduction explaining the economy, metals performance, and how a self-directed IRA works. The process is methodical, reassuring, and fully transparent.
Blanchard’s model is consultative and transactional. Its representatives are highly knowledgeable and can assist investors in selecting both IRA-eligible and collectible metals, often tailoring portfolios for diversification beyond IRAs.
Augusta’s approach fosters understanding and lifelong trust; Blanchard’s approach delivers breadth and expertise for those comfortable with the metals market.
Risk & Liquidity Considerations
Augusta’s lifetime buyback policy provides reliable liquidity for IRA investors, ensuring metals can be sold easily at market value when needed.
Blanchard also buys back metals but places greater emphasis on collector coins, whose resale values can fluctuate based on rarity and collector demand.
Both firms emphasize that precious metals are long-term hedges against inflation, not speculative assets.
Augusta favors structured, stable liquidity; Blanchard caters to investors comfortable navigating variable resale markets.
How to Choose: Blanchard and Company or Augusta Precious Metals
- For lower initial investment and more flexibility in product type: Blanchard and Company wins.
- For long-term cost efficiency and consistent retirement planning: Augusta wins, offering predictable fees and a transparent structure.
- For collector and numismatic expertise: Blanchard wins — it has unmatched history and depth in rare coins.
- For personalized, education-driven service: Augusta wins — its lifetime guidance model leads the industry.
- For product range and historical inventory: Augustas product range is sufficient for IRA investors. Blanchard for its wide range of coins.
- For transparency, simplicity, and lifetime liquidity: Augusta wins decisively through its clear communication and buyback guarantees.
Final Verdict
Both Augusta Precious Metals and Blanchard and Company are trustworthy, well-established names in the precious-metals space. Blanchard stands out for its rich history, collector expertise, and broad catalog that bridges investing and numismatics — a great fit for those who appreciate both value and artistry.
Augusta Precious Metals, however, remains the superior choice for retirement investors who want transparency, education, and long-term security. Its no-pressure approach, consistent pricing, and lifetime buyback guarantee make it the gold standard for serious IRA investors seeking peace of mind.
Overall Winner: Augusta Precious Metals — for its transparency, educational leadership, and long-term investor focus that turns gold ownership into a guided, confident experience.
Best for: Serious investors who prefer organized, consultative guidance, ongoing access to experienced specialists and complete clarity on each step of the IRA process.
4.9 of 5 stars