Augusta vs Lear Capital - Track Record, Fees and Fit Compared (2026)

Augusta Precious Metals fits savers with $50,000 or more who want a guided, education-first process and flat, itemized fees. Lear Capital fits savers who value a very long company history or need a lower entry point, with a reported $10,000 minimum.

Both use outside custodians and approved storage, and both offer buyback programs. Here's how they compare on the points that matter to your account.

Augusta vs Lear Capital at a Glance

Table: Augusta Precious Metals vs Lear Capital, reported figures | | Augusta Precious Metals | Lear Capital | |---|---|---| | In business since | 2012 | 1997, Los Angeles | | Reported IRA minimum | $50,000 | $10,000 | | Reported setup and wire | About $50 setup | About $50 application plus about $30 wire | | Reported yearly fees | About $200–$250 | About $235 pooled storage, about $285 segregated | | Metals | Gold, silver | Gold, silver and others | | Main depository reported | Delaware Depository | Delaware Depository |

Company History

Lear Capital has operated since 1997, which makes it one of the oldest names in the business. Augusta was founded in 2012.

A long history is a meaningful trust signal, but it isn't the whole story. What matters most is how a company prices products, explains costs and handles customers today. Check both companies' current BBB profiles and read how they respond to complaints.

A Note on Lear's 2022 Restructuring

Fortune notes that Lear Capital filed for bankruptcy and went through a restructuring in 2022. The company continues to operate and to be reviewed by major finance publishers, but it's a relevant part of its history.

For IRA customers, the key protection is the same as with any reputable dealer: your account is held by an independent custodian and your metal sits in an approved depository, not with the dealer. Confirm both by name before funding, whichever company you choose.

Minimums

Lear's reported $10,000 IRA minimum makes it accessible to far more savers than Augusta's reported $50,000. If your account is below $50,000, that alone points you toward Lear or another low-minimum company. See gold IRA companies with low minimums.

Fees

Published fee examples for Lear show an application fee of about $50, a wire fee of about $30, a maintenance fee of about $125 and storage of about $110 pooled or $160 segregated. That works out to roughly $235–$285 a year after the first year.

Augusta's reported yearly total is about $200–$250. So Augusta tends to come out a little lower on recurring fees, though the difference is modest. As always, product premiums deserve more attention than the yearly fee. See Augusta fees.

Products and Pricing

Lear has a broader catalog that has included premium and rare coins, and it promotes a price-related guarantee program for buyers. Augusta focuses on IRS-eligible gold and silver, with a mix of bullion and premium coins.

With either company, we'd build the core of an IRA from standard bullion, which carries smaller premiums and sells back more easily. Ask for written quotes that show the spot price and the same-day buyback price. Our proof coins vs bullion guide explains why.

Education and Buying Experience

Augusta leads with education: a free kit, a dedicated contact and an optional one-on-one session before you buy. That's especially valuable if you've never done a gold IRA rollover.

Lear also offers a free investor kit and market resources, with account setup handled by phone and email with a representative. Its process suits savers who prefer to move quickly once they've decided.

Storage and Custody

Both companies commonly use Delaware Depository, and both work with outside self-directed IRA custodians. Your metal is held in an approved, insured vault either way. Choose pooled or segregated storage based on what you hold and your budget. See gold IRA storage.

Ten-Year Fee Illustration

Using reported figures, here's how yearly fees add up over a decade with pooled storage. These are assumptions for comparison, not quotes.

Table: Illustrative 10-year account fees with pooled storage (assumed figures) | | Augusta Precious Metals | Lear Capital | |---|---|---| | Assumed setup and wire | $50 | $80 | | Assumed yearly fees | $225 | $235 | | Ten-year total | About $2,300 | About $2,430 |

With segregated storage, Lear's reported yearly figure rises to about $285, which would add roughly $500 over ten years. Augusta's segregated storage is reported at about $150 a year, for a yearly total near $250–$275. Either way, the gap is modest compared with product premiums.

Rare and Premium Coins: Proceed Carefully

Lear's catalog has included premium and rare coins, and Augusta also sells some premium coins. These can carry much higher markups than standard bullion, and they often sell back for considerably less than you paid.

Inside an IRA, true collectible coins aren't allowed at all, and eligible premium coins still need to meet IRS purity rules. We'd keep any premium coins to a small share of an IRA and compare every price in writing. Our proof coins vs bullion guide walks through the math.

Questions to Ask Both Companies

• What's the minimum for my account type?
• Which custodian and depository would hold my account?
• What's the full written fee schedule, including wire and distribution fees?
• What's today's price and same-day buyback price for each product you'd suggest?
• How much of a typical order is standard bullion versus premium coins?

What Company Age Does and Doesn't Tell You

A company that has operated since 1997 has survived several gold cycles, which is worth something. But age doesn't tell you how a company prices products today or how it treats new customers.

Use history as one input alongside current reviews, BBB responses, written fees and written quotes. That's how you'd judge Augusta too, despite its shorter history.

Who Should Choose Which