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Very few precious metals companies can say they have been in continuous operation since 1949, SilverTowne can. SilverTowne began as a tiny coin store in Winchester, Indiana, founded by Leon and Ruhama Hendrickson. The firm has been able to expand from being a humble store into one of the biggest family-owned precious metals dealers in the country, running a retail storefront, a website, and a privately owned mint within a period of 76 years.
That heritage is genuine and worth understanding. It is also not the full picture for a retirement investor trying to decide whether SilverTowne is the right partner for a self-directed Gold IRA. SilverTowne is primarily a bullion dealer. Its IRA facilitation is real but secondary to the core business, and there are important gaps, notably in fee transparency and specialist IRA support — that investors should evaluate clearly before committing funds.
#1 Rated Gold Company for 2026
Before going further into SilverTowne, know that our top recommendation for U.S. retirement investors in 2026 remains Noble Gold Investments. Noble Gold offers transparent fees, a dedicated IRA specialist for every account, and a free 2026 Gold IRA guide that walks you through the rollover process from start to finish — no pressure required.
Quick Company Snapshot
| Company | SilverTowne (silvertowne.com) |
| Founded | 1949 — over 76 years in operation |
| Founders | Leon Hendrickson and Ruhama Hendrickson |
| Business Type | Family-owned bullion dealer, retailer, and private mint |
| Headquarters | 120 E Union City Pike, Winchester, IN 47394 |
| Phone | 800-788-7481 |
| sales@silvertowne.com | |
| Store Hours | Mon–Fri: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM Eastern (showroom and phone) |
| Metals Offered | Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium |
| IRA Support | Yes — facilitated through partner custodians |
| IRA Custodians | New Direction IRA, The Entrust Group, Millennium Trust Company |
| Own Mint | Yes — SilverTowne Mint (operating since 1978) |
| Website | www.silvertowne.com |
SilverTowne at a Glance
The history of this firm can be called the most distinctive among other precious metal enterprises. SilverTowne was established from a family business located in a small town of Indiana; over the course of 70 years, it opened its own mint, and today serves investors, coin collectors, preppers, and individuals who simply desire to gift something from a 40,000 sq ft showroom together with its website. What they sell is impressive – everything from bars and coins made of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium to numismatics, collectibles, products from other private mints, and their custom-minted rounds. However, if you were considering this firm as a potential Gold IRA partner, there are many more issues worth consideration. SilverTowne offers Gold IRAs in cooperation with trusted custodians, but in terms of specialization, it cannot be even compared to Gold IRA companies. The lack of fee information is a drawback, and their absence from BBB accreditation is noteworthy.
Pros & Cons
Company Background
SilverTowne was established in 1949 in Winchester, Indiana by Leon Hendrickson and his wife, Ruhama Hendrickson, as a coin shop. SilverTowne started out as a local company sourcing coins for collectors from rural Indiana, and eventually grew to become a respectable precious metal dealer across the nation. SilverTowne opened its minting operation in the 1970s, adding another element of value to the company through the creation of its own silver products. Such is a significant investment that differentiates SilverTowne from other precious metal dealers who only act as resellers of products.
SilverTowne relocated to a larger office in 1985, which is where the company operates till this day. Additionally, SilverTowne has an extensive online presence, and operates its own e-commerce website and store accessible online. SilverTowne Mint bought out Regency Mint Manufacturing in October 2024 to enhance its minting operation.
SilverTowne is a member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and the Industry Council for Tangible Assets (ICTA), which are professional associations showing membership within industry-related standardization organizations. For broader context on how long-established dealers compare to newer IRA-specialist firms, see our guide to precious metals IRA reviews.
Products Available
In comparison to other similar firms operating in the United States, SilverTowne offers an extensive product line that consists of both coins and precious metals. What is unique about this company is the existence of its own mint, where silver items can be produced. As far as the IRA eligible items are concerned, they consist of four precious metals, namely gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
IRA-Eligible Gold Products (Examples)
- Gold American Buffalo
- Gold American Eagle
- Gold Canadian Maple Leaf
- Gold Austrian Philharmonic
- Australian Gold Kangaroo
- Gold bars in various weights
IRA-Eligible Silver Products (Examples)
- Silver American Eagle
- Silver Canadian Maple Leaf
- Silver Britannia
- Silver bars in various weights
IRA-Eligible Platinum Products (Examples)
- Platinum American Eagle
- Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf
IRA-Eligible Palladium Products (Examples)
- Palladium Canadian Maple Leaf
Beyond IRA-eligible bullion, SilverTowne offers an extensive numismatics section, collectible coins, themed gift sets, and custom minting services for commemorative and promotional pieces. For investors new to the category and wanting to understand how metals selection fits into a broader portfolio, our guide to precious metals investing is a useful starting point.
Noble Gold Is Our #1 Pick for 2026
SilverTowne has one of the most impressive product histories in the industry — 76 years is rare in any retail category. But for retirement investors who need a fully guided IRA rollover with clearly published fees and dedicated specialist support, Noble Gold Investments offers a more purpose-built experience. Their free guide answers the questions SilverTowne’s website leaves open.
SilverTowne vs Other Precious Metals Companies
SilverTowne’s biggest competitive advantages lie in its product diversity, longevity, and manufacturing capabilities. The areas where it falls behind other IRA-first companies are in the specific knowledge of IRAs that comes with being an IRA specialist company. Here’s how it stacks up against its peers:
Noble Gold Investments – our top-rated company for 2026 – for Americans looking for an all-inclusive IRA rollover experience, complete with clear fees and guidance from dedicated IRA specialists throughout the process. Noble Gold is our benchmark against which all other firms are measured.
Augusta Precious Metals for those looking for the highest level of IRA experience and education possible, including extensive hand-holding during the account opening process.
Goldline for investors comparing a household name with decades of experience selling precious metals to consumers against SilverTowne’s long legacy in manufacturing.
USAGOLD for individuals seeking a more traditional dealer approach focused on educating clients about owning physical bullion for the long-term.
GoldCore for consumers seeking a truly unique experience, including a focus on international vaulting.
Advantage Gold for those wanting a rollover process with even greater IRA guidance than SilverTowne’s primarily retail approach offers.
Best gold investment companies – our full comparison guide for investors looking at the broader field.
The biggest competitive advantage SilverTowne has lies in its product diversity, manufacturing capability, and 76 years of experience. The areas in which it is at a disadvantage compared to the IRA-first companies mentioned above include clear fee information, rollover guidance, and customer reviews.
With the #1 Rated Company of 2026
SilverTowne is a legitimate, long-established bullion dealer worth knowing about. But for a fully guided, fee-transparent Gold IRA experience built specifically around U.S. retirement investors, Noble Gold Investments is where we recommend beginning. Request their free 2026 guide before speaking to any rep.
Final Verdict
The legitimacy of SilverTowne as a precious metal dealer cannot be overstated. There is no company out there that matches up when it comes to longevity. Having been under family management since 1943, a private mint facility, a physical store where customers can walk in and look at the products, plus the ability to sell four types of metals in multiple product categories, gives SilverTowne the ability to stand head-and-shoulders above the competition in terms of operational capability in its industry.
It is however difficult to strongly endorse SilverTowne on account of its lack of specialization, which in this case means IRA specific knowledge. On fees, lack of accreditation by the BBB, limited third-party customer testimonials, among other factors, makes SilverTowne less likely to be a perfect choice for someone looking to invest in their retirement account.
SilverTowne is worthy of some serious consideration. Particularly, for investors who are interested in purchasing different types of metals. Not just standard IRA bullion, but also palladium and numismatic coins. This company is certainly not the worst out there, so it should be compared against at least Noble Gold Investments and another IRA specific company.
- Phone : 800-788-7481
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Founded in 1949, for an astounding 72 years, SilverTowne is one of the largest and oldest precious metals dealerships in the country. With a vast inventory, both retirement savers and investors alike, will be impressed by the catalog. Custodial services are provided by the preferred custodian New Direction IRA. Storage is provided by CNT Depository Inc., the International Depository Services of Delaware, and the International Depository Services of Canada. Those investors wanting palladium will have to look elsewhere, as none is present in the company's inventory. Inconveniently, none of the products have pricing listed online. Rather, potential customers have to contact the company directly for that information.
Mohammed Saqib is a finance professional and CFA Level II Candidate with a Master of Finance from Wilfrid Laurier University. He specializes in financial content covering equities, alternative assets, precious metals, and capital markets.
