Business record
Operating since 2012. BBB A+ and accredited since Feb. 17, 2015.
Current fit
$50,000 minimum initial purchase for IRA or personal-funds purchases.
Account costs
$285 year one and $235 later under Augusta's current standard third-party schedule.
What “Legit” Does—and Does Not—Tell You
A company can be real, established and well reviewed while still being a poor fit for a particular buyer. Augusta's business existence and current public-review profile are easy to verify. What requires more work is the economics of the exact metals you are quoted: the purchase price, same-day buyback bid, account fees and future live bid.
That is why this page does not treat BBB stars as an investment recommendation.
Current Public Signals
| Signal | Current fact | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| BBB | A+; 4.93/5 from 136 customer reviews; 1 complaint in the last 3 years and 1 in the last 12 months; accredited since Feb. 17, 2015 | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Trustpilot | 4.8/5 from 377 reviews; 1-star 1%, 2-star under 1% | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| ConsumerAffairs | 4.9/5 from 200 reviews; profile updated Sep. 28, 2026 | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| 4.9/5 reported by Augusta on its awards page; review count not independently verified here | Nov. 4, 2026 |
The Regulatory Record: Minnesota 2019
A historical Minnesota Department of Commerce consent order dated August 21, 2019 is reported in the Department's CARDS enforcement registry. The matter concerned selling bullion to Minnesota residents above the statutory threshold without first registering with the state. Sources describing the order report a $3,000 civil penalty plus $45 in costs.
This is important context, but it should be described accurately: it was a registration-compliance matter, not a finding that Augusta defrauded customers or manipulated metal prices.
Our November 4 searches did not surface a newer public CFTC, SEC, FTC, or state-attorney-general enforcement action naming Augusta. That is not proof that no other complaint, inquiry or action exists.
What the Current Complaint Record Actually Says
BBB currently shows one complaint in the trailing three-year period. The complainant challenged how premiums, resale value and written buyback pricing had been communicated. Augusta disputed the third-party pricing analysis and said the customer needed to go through Augusta's valuation process for the company to explain its calculation.
Low-star Trustpilot material also includes criticism about third-party custodian visibility and a separate request for hard-copy service information. These are customer experiences, not findings that every criticism is correct. See the full Augusta complaints audit.
Minimum, Fees and Custody
Augusta currently publishes a $50,000 standard minimum initial purchase for IRA and personal-funds purchases. Its current standard third-party account schedule is $285 in year one and $235 in later years, with Equity Trust identified as the preferred independent custodian and Delaware Depository as the default independent depository. Augusta also says qualifying accounts may receive up to ten years of eligible account fees paid by Augusta, with no universal public threshold.
Those cost facts help establish what the business currently publishes, but this page's main job is the legitimacy and regulatory record. See the full Augusta review for the line-by-line fee, custody and pricing discussion.
Buyback Terms to Understand
Augusta says it charges no separate dealer liquidation fee, while its current material says the custodian charges a $30 processing fee; qualifying buybacks can use a 24-hour higher-comparable-offer protection window under program terms. For the full valuation and buyback explanation, see the Augusta review.
Sponsored link: Augusta pays us if you request its kit. Review the fees, complaint record and regulatory note above first.
Review Augusta's Information Kit →Who Augusta May—and May Not—Fit
May fit
Someone allocating at least $50,000 who values a guided, education-heavy process and is comfortable obtaining transaction pricing through representatives.
May not fit
Someone below the minimum, someone who wants live click-to-buy pricing, or someone who does not want a separate custodian and depository relationship.
Always verify
Exact product, premium/spread, same-day buyback bid, custodian/depository, fee coverage and cancellation terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Augusta Precious Metals a legitimate company?
Augusta Precious Metals is a real operating precious-metals dealer founded in 2012. BBB currently lists it as A+ and accredited since February 17, 2015. The more useful due-diligence question is whether its $50,000 minimum, product pricing, custody structure, and buyback terms fit you.
Does Augusta Precious Metals have complaints?
Yes. As of November 4, 2026, BBB showed one complaint in the last three years and one in the last 12 months. Trustpilot showed 4.8/5 from 377 reviews, with 1-star reviews at 1% and 2-star reviews under 1%.
Has Augusta Precious Metals faced regulatory action?
A 2019 Minnesota Department of Commerce consent order concerned selling bullion to Minnesota residents above the statutory threshold without first registering with the state. Sources describing the order report a $3,000 civil penalty plus $45 in costs. It was a registration matter, not a customer-fraud finding.
What is Augusta's minimum investment?
Augusta currently publishes a $50,000 standard minimum initial purchase for IRA and personal-funds purchases. The $50,000 buys metals; it is not an account fee.
What fees does Augusta publish?
Augusta's current standard schedule lists $285 in third-party account fees in year one and $235 in later years: $50 setup, $125 annual custody, and $110 annual storage and insurance. Qualifying accounts may receive up to ten years of eligible account fees paid by Augusta, with no universal threshold published.
Who holds an Augusta Gold IRA?
Augusta is the metals dealer, not the IRA custodian or depository. Augusta identifies Equity Trust as its preferred independent custodian and Delaware Depository as its default independent depository, while saying other approved options may exist.
Does Augusta guarantee a future buyback price?
No future resale price or profit is guaranteed. Augusta describes a product-specific valuation and a live Buyback Desk price. It says it charges no dealer liquidation fee, while the custodian charges a $30 processing fee for a buyback under the current standard schedule.
Related: Augusta review · Augusta complaints · Augusta minimum · How to choose a Gold IRA company.