Goldco and Blanchard & Company represent two different eras in the U.S. precious metals industry. Both are respected names with long-standing reputations for integrity and expertise, but their approaches and strengths diverge sharply.
Goldco, founded in 2011, built its reputation as a modern Gold IRA specialist — known for its streamlined rollover process, transparent service, and promotions that reward investors with bonus silver. The company focuses heavily on retirement investors seeking to protect their portfolios with IRS-approved precious metals.
Blanchard & Company, established in 1975 and headquartered in New Orleans, is one of America’s oldest and most respected names in bullion and rare coins. Its business model combines investment-grade metals with collectible numismatics, appealing to both institutional buyers and collectors who appreciate historical value.
While both companies can facilitate Gold IRAs, Goldco is designed specifically for retirement-oriented investors who want clarity, convenience, and long-term cost predictability. Blanchard, in contrast, appeals to investors who appreciate heritage, human expertise, and the tangible history behind gold ownership.
This in-depth comparison explores eight major areas — IRA minimums, fees, pricing transparency, product offerings, promotions, customer service, buyback programs, and reputation — followed by a breakdown of which investor each company suits best and a “How to Choose Between” guide to help you decide.
Key Takeaways
- Overall: Both Goldco and Blanchard & Company are highly reputable precious metals firms with decades of combined experience in wealth protection and portfolio diversification.
- IRA Minimums: Goldco generally requires about $25,000 to start a Gold IRA, while Blanchard’s entry point varies, with smaller direct bullion purchases possible outside an IRA.
- Fees: Fees for both firms typically fall between $200 and $300 per year for IRA administration and storage, depending on custodian selection.
- Promotions: Goldco often offers up to 10% in bonus silver on qualifying accounts, while Rosland Capital focuses more on special coin collections and limited-edition releases than IRA promotions.
- Buyback: Goldco includes a Highest Price BuyBack Guarantee for added liquidity assurance, while Blanchard’s buyback service operates on a traditional market quote basis.
Company Snapshots
Goldco (founded 2011)
Minimum for Gold IRA: Usually $25,000 to open or roll over an account.
Typical annual fees: Approximately $225 per year after setup; first-year costs typically range from $275 to $325 including initial custodian and storage setup.
Promotions: Commonly offers up to 10% in bonus silver on qualifying investments, providing tangible upfront value.
Buyback: Features a Highest Price BuyBack Guarantee, allowing clients to liquidate metals with confidence that they’ll receive top market value.
Reputation: A+ BBB rating, multi-year service awards, and thousands of verified five-star customer reviews.
Products: Offers gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars that are all IRA-approved.
Blanchard & Company (founded 1975)
Minimums: IRA minimums vary by custodian, typically around $10,000–$15,000; direct bullion purchases can start at smaller amounts.
Typical annual fees: Roughly $200–$300 per year for IRA administration and storage, depending on account setup.
Promotions: Does not typically offer promotional metals or fee waivers; focuses instead on advisory quality and tailored investment planning.
Buyback: Offers a traditional buyback service through its trading desk based on live market rates, with no guaranteed repurchase prices.
Reputation: One of the oldest and most trusted precious metals firms in the U.S., with nearly five decades of experience and extensive educational resources.
Products: Provides gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion, along with an extensive catalog of rare and historical coins sought by collectors worldwide.
Head to Head Comparison
1) IRA Minimums
Goldco generally requires a $25,000 minimum to start or roll over a Gold IRA.
Rosland Capital’s IRA minimum is usually around $10,000, making it accessible to smaller investors or those starting with modest allocations.
Verdict: Rosland Capital wins for accessibility, offering lower starting requirements that appeal to entry-level investors, while Goldco caters to those ready for a more substantial allocation.
2) Fees (Setup, Custodian/Admin, Storage)
Goldco’s total annual fees generally average around $225 after setup, with slightly higher first-year costs due to one-time establishment fees.
Blanchard’s IRA fees are similar, typically $200 to $300 annually depending on custodian and storage method.
Verdict: Tie. Both companies operate within the same cost band. Goldco’s structure is slightly clearer and more predictable, while Blanchard’s depends on custodian selection and IRA size.
3) Pricing Transparency
Goldco discusses pricing and fee details during individual consultations, ensuring clients understand every component of their costs before funding their accounts.
Blanchard publishes current bullion and coin prices on its website, offering transparency for spot-based pricing and historical coin listings.
Verdict: Blanchard edges ahead for public bullion and coin pricing, while Goldco delivers clearer transparency for IRA-specific fees during the account setup stage.
4) Product Offerings (Coins/Bars, Metals)
Goldco offers gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products limited to IRA-approved coins and bars suitable for retirement investors.
Blanchard provides the same metals but stands out for its deep catalog of rare and historical coins, appealing to collectors and investors seeking long-term appreciation through scarcity.
Verdict: Blanchard wins for variety and uniqueness, while Goldco remains stronger for pure IRA diversification.
5) Promotions & Perks
Goldco frequently offers up to 10% in bonus silver on qualifying IRA rollovers, an incentive that adds immediate value for retirement investors.
Blanchard does not offer metal bonuses or fee waivers, instead emphasizing expert advisory and personalized investment planning over promotions.
Verdict: Goldco wins for tangible upfront value. Its promotional offers stand out, while Blanchard focuses on quality and consultation rather than short-term incentives.
6) Customer Service & Experience
Goldco’s reputation for customer service is exceptional, with personalized account specialists guiding clients through every step of the rollover process.
Blanchard has a seasoned team of metals advisors and economists who educate investors on both modern bullion and numismatic opportunities, providing a more consultative experience.
Verdict: Tie. Goldco offers smoother IRA setup and follow-through, while Blanchard delivers deeper advisory expertise for clients who want hands-on market education.
7) Buyback Programs
Goldco’s Highest Price BuyBack Guarantee provides investors confidence in liquidity, ensuring they can sell metals back at top market pricing when desired.
Blanchard facilitates buybacks through its trading desk at prevailing market rates but does not provide a guaranteed repurchase program.
Verdict: Goldco wins for guaranteed liquidity. Blanchard’s buyback program is functional and fair, but Goldco’s commitment offers greater predictability.
8) Reputation & Reviews
Goldco holds an A+ BBB rating, five-star client reviews, and multiple service awards from major financial review platforms.
Blanchard & Company also maintains an A+ BBB rating and carries nearly 50 years of brand recognition and trust within the rare coin and metals community.
Verdict: Tie. Goldco is a modern standout with customer service accolades, while Blanchard’s historic credibility and legacy presence are unmatched in longevity.
Which Investor Does Each Company Suit Best?
Rosland Capital is ideal if you want to:
- Start with a smaller investment and gradually expand your holdings, balancing bullion with unique numismatic pieces that hold historical and collectible value.
- Work with one of the most established firms in the U.S. precious metals market, where advisory depth and long-term strategy take priority over quick sales.
- Gain access to educational insights and economic commentary to guide your buying decisions, supported by analysts who specialize in rare coin markets.
- Own tangible assets that combine portfolio protection with collector appeal, adding both diversification and personality to your investment strategy.
Goldco is ideal if you want to:
- Open or roll over a Gold IRA with $25,000 or more and focus primarily on retirement security and inflation protection through IRS-approved bullion.
- Take advantage of valuable promotions, such as up to 10% in bonus silver, which create immediate and measurable value for your account.
- Experience a smooth, guided IRA setup process where dedicated specialists manage all paperwork, custodian coordination, and storage arrangements on your behalf.
- Invest with confidence knowing your metals can be liquidated easily through Goldco’s Highest Price BuyBack Guarantee, ensuring maximum resale value when you decide to exit.
Practical Cost Illustration (High Level)
Both companies operate within the same general cost range, typically between $200 and $300 per year in custodial and storage fees.
A $100,000 IRA rollover through Goldco could include up to $10,000 in bonus silver, offsetting years of ongoing maintenance costs and immediately adding tangible value to the account.
Blanchard’s costs are similar, but its value proposition lies more in the advisory and collectible side than in direct promotions. Investors who enjoy tangible history and long-term scarcity potential may find that rare coins appreciate differently than standard bullion.
Goldco’s model delivers predictable costs and clear returns for retirement investors, while Blanchard’s model caters to clients who view gold as both an investment and a legacy asset.
Service Model & Setup Experience
Goldco’s setup process is designed for efficiency. Each client is paired with a dedicated account specialist who handles custodian coordination, storage selection, and rollover logistics. This creates a streamlined and time-efficient experience for investors focused on IRAs.
Blanchard’s service model is more advisory and traditional. Clients engage with knowledgeable consultants who discuss broader market conditions, coin histories, and strategies for building a well-rounded metals portfolio.
Both experiences are highly personal, but Goldco prioritizes speed and compliance, while Blanchard emphasizes insight and education.
Risk & Liquidity Considerations
Goldco’s liquidity strength comes from its Highest Price BuyBack Guarantee, which minimizes resale uncertainty. Investors know their metals can be sold back promptly and at competitive prices.
Blanchard’s liquidity depends on market demand for each product, especially in the case of collectible coins, where premiums can fluctuate. Its buyback program functions smoothly, but market factors have a greater influence on final pricing.
Investors seeking steady liquidity and simplicity will prefer Goldco’s structure, while those interested in collectibles and potential long-term rarity appreciation may lean toward Blanchard.
How to Choose Between Goldco and Blanchard & Company
For lower initial investment
Blanchard & Company offers more flexibility, allowing smaller direct purchases and moderate IRA minimums around $10,000 to $15,000.
For long-term cost efficiency with a large balance
Goldco provides consistent annual fees and transparent pricing once the account is established.
For fee waivers and promotions
Goldco clearly wins, offering up to 10% in bonus silver that immediately increases account value.
For dedicated, personalized guidance
Blanchard excels with its long-established research resources, economic analysis, and focus on collectible coin expertise.
For pure IRA simplicity and guaranteed liquidity
Goldco stands out through its streamlined model and buyback guarantee.
Final Verdict
Goldco and Blanchard & Company both serve distinct but complementary segments of the precious metals market. Blanchard is a pillar of tradition — ideal for investors who appreciate history, rarity, and hands-on advisory guidance. It’s a company built for collectors and strategic buyers who see gold as both an asset and a story.
Goldco, on the other hand, represents the modern Gold IRA model — efficient, transparent, and designed for retirement investors who value convenience, predictability, and tangible promotional benefits.
For long-term investors seeking simplicity, reliability, and guaranteed buyback confidence, Goldco remains the stronger overall choice.
Overall Winner: Goldco — delivering the best balance of value, efficiency, and investor protection for retirement-focused precious metals investors.