The Bottom Line
APMEX is the largest online precious metals dealer in the United States, and it earns that position through sheer breadth. With over 10,000 products spanning gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and copper, no competitor matches APMEX on selection. The trade-off is price: expect premiums 1-3% above the lowest-cost dealers on common bullion items. See our head-to-head comparison of APMEX vs JM Bullion for a detailed side-by-side breakdown. For buyers who value one-stop convenience over squeezing every basis point, APMEX delivers.
Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Oklahoma City, APMEX has processed millions of orders over 25+ years. That operational depth shows in the details: consistent fulfillment, reliable packaging, and a support infrastructure that handles high-volume periods better than most. The company has invested in technology (mobile app, real-time pricing, crypto payments) while maintaining the fundamentals that matter to repeat buyers.
Quick Facts
APMEX is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and was founded in 2000. The company holds a BBB A+ rating. No minimum order, and free shipping kicks in at $199. Accepted payment methods include credit/debit cards, bank wire, check, ACH, BitPay (crypto), PayPal, and the APMEX bullion card. APMEX operates a buyback program and offers IRA services through partner custodians.
Product Selection and Pricing
Selection is where APMEX justifies its position at the top of the market. The catalog runs deep: gold bars from 1 gram to 1 kilo across every major refiner (PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, Perth Mint, Royal Canadian Mint, and others), sovereign gold coins from every active mint, junk silver by face value (Mercury dimes, Washington quarters, Walking Liberty halves, Morgan dollars), platinum and palladium products, and a rotating inventory of rare and collectible coins.
The depth extends to formats that many dealers ignore. Fractional gold (1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz) is available across multiple product lines. Silver bars range from 1 oz to 100 oz. Specialty items like the Perth Mint’s limited lunar series or vintage US gold coins appear regularly. For a buyer who knows exactly what they want, regardless of how niche, APMEX is the first place to check.
On pricing, transparency matters. A 1 oz American Gold Eagle at APMEX typically runs $40-75 over spot when paying by check or wire. At SD Bullion or Hero Bullion, the same coin often sits $20-50 over spot. That is a real difference on a single coin, and it compounds across a larger order. On a 10-coin purchase, the premium gap can total $200-300.
Silver premiums follow a similar pattern. Generic 1 oz silver rounds at APMEX often price at $2.00-4.00 over spot, while the same rounds at SD Bullion or Monument Metals sit at $1.00-2.50 over spot. On a monster box of 500 Silver Eagles, the premium difference between APMEX and a discount dealer can run $500-750. These are not rounding errors.
Credit card pricing adds another layer. APMEX applies a surcharge of 4% for card payments. On a $2,500 gold coin, that is about $100 in additional cost. Wire transfer or ACH eliminates this surcharge, and APMEX clearly displays both price tiers. For any purchase over $1,000, wire payment is almost always the right call.
The APMEX bullion rewards card deserves mention. Repeat purchasers earn points on purchases that translate to discounts on future orders. The value is modest, earning 4% back on APMEX purchases and 1% on purchases elsewhere, but it partially offsets the premium gap for loyal customers.
Where APMEX pricing becomes competitive is on hard-to-find items. Obscure sovereign coins, vintage silver, limited-edition releases, and numismatic pieces often appear on APMEX before other dealers list them at all. When only one dealer has the product, the premium comparison becomes irrelevant. Collectors building specific sets know this reality well.
Ordering Experience
The APMEX website is well-organized by precious metals dealer standards. Filtering works reliably by metal type, product category, weight, mint, and price range. Product pages include detailed specifications, multiple images, and clear pricing for each payment method. The ability to sort by premium-over-spot is particularly useful; it surfaces the best relative value within a product category.
Search functionality handles both common queries (“1 oz gold bar”) and specific ones (“2024 1/10 oz Gold Eagle”) effectively. Product comparisons across similar items are easy to execute. The overall catalog architecture reflects 25 years of refinement.
The checkout process is straightforward. Cart holds items for a limited window (typically 10 minutes at the locked price during market hours), which is standard practice. This price lock matters during volatile sessions when spot can move $10-20 per ounce on gold in a single hour. Account creation is required before purchase, but saved payment methods and address books speed up repeat orders.
The APMEX app is functional for mobile browsing and purchasing, though the desktop experience remains superior for comparing products. Real-time spot price tickers appear on the site and update without page refresh. Push notifications for price alerts are available through the app, which is useful for buyers waiting for dips to place orders.
One feature worth noting: APMEX displays inventory status on product pages. “In stock” items ship fastest, while “pre-sale” and “back-ordered” items come with estimated delivery dates. This transparency helps buyers manage expectations and avoid tying up capital in orders that may take weeks to fulfill.
Shipping and Packaging
Orders over $199 ship free via USPS or UPS, with full insurance. Most orders ship within 1-3 business days for in-stock items paid by credit card. Wire and check payments add processing time: wires typically clear in 1-2 business days, checks require 3-7 business days for full clearance before shipment.
Expedited shipping options are available at additional cost for buyers who need faster delivery. For standard free shipping, expect 2-5 days in transit after shipment, depending on destination.
Packaging is discreet and secure. APMEX uses plain boxes with no branding or indication of contents. The return address does not reveal the nature of the shipment. Products arrive in appropriate protective packaging: coins in flips or capsules, bars sealed in assay cards when applicable. Larger silver orders (monster boxes, bulk rounds) ship in reinforced packaging appropriate for the weight.
Signature confirmation is required for orders over $500, which adds a layer of security but requires someone to be present at delivery. For buyers who work during delivery hours, this may mean routing to a workplace or holding at a UPS/USPS facility. The insurance coverage on all shipments is full replacement value, which provides genuine protection against loss or damage in transit.
Customer Service
APMEX offers phone support, live chat, and email. Phone lines are staffed during extended business hours (Central Time), and hold times are generally reasonable outside of major market events. During sharp price moves or geopolitical events that spike demand, every dealer experiences call volume surges. APMEX handles these better than most due to its larger support staff.
Live chat handles basic questions quickly and is available during business hours. For complex issues, order disputes, or damaged shipments, phone or email are more appropriate channels. Email response times typically run 1-2 business days.
The knowledge base and FAQ section are extensive, covering topics from payment processing timelines to IRA eligibility requirements. For IRA-specific questions, APMEX connects buyers with custodian partners who handle the compliance side. The IRA support infrastructure is more developed than at most competitors.
One consistent strength: order status updates and tracking information arrive promptly. From order confirmation to shipment notification to delivery confirmation, the communication chain is reliable. This matters for first-time buyers who may be anxious about a large online precious metals purchase.
Buyback Program
APMEX buys back most products they sell at competitive bid prices. The buyback quote is available by phone or through their website. Offers are typically at or near wholesale bid, which means selling back a 1 oz Gold Eagle might net you spot minus $20-40 depending on market conditions and the specific product.
Products with higher numismatic or collector value may receive better buyback offers relative to spot than generic bullion. APMEX’s large customer base creates demand for inventory, which supports competitive bid pricing.
The process is straightforward: lock in a price, ship the metal to APMEX with the provided shipping label, and receive payment after verification. Turnaround is typically 5-7 business days after receipt. Payment options include check or ACH.
Compared to selling on secondary markets (Reddit’s r/PMsForSale, local coin shops, or private transactions), the APMEX buyback is convenient but will net less than a private sale. A private sale of a 1 oz Gold Eagle might achieve spot plus $20-30, while selling back to APMEX might yield spot minus $20-40. The difference can be $40-70 per coin. Convenience versus price: the buyer decides.
The buyback program has a $1,000 minimum transaction. For sellers liquidating large positions ($10,000+), the APMEX buyback offers the ability to lock pricing on the entire lot in a single transaction, which reduces execution risk compared to selling piecemeal over days or weeks.
Who Should Use APMEX
APMEX is the right choice for buyers who prioritize selection above all else. If the specific product matters more than the last dollar of premium, APMEX likely has it. The catalog depth is unmatched, and inventory availability on popular items is consistently strong even during demand surges.
IRA investors benefit from integrated custodian partnerships and a clearly defined process for purchasing IRA-eligible products. The compliance documentation and custodian coordination reduce friction in what can be a complex process.
Collectors seeking rare, vintage, or limited-edition products will find inventory here that simply does not exist at discount-oriented dealers. APMEX’s position as the largest dealer means it receives allocation on limited-mint products that smaller dealers cannot access.
Buyers who want a single dealer relationship for all precious metals needs, from fractional gold to platinum bullion to silver junk bags, will appreciate the convenience. The rewards program adds modest value for repeat purchasers, and the established account system streamlines reorders.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Price-sensitive stackers building positions in common bullion, 1 oz Silver Eagles, generic silver rounds, standard gold bars, should compare pricing at SD Bullion, Hero Bullion, or Monument Metals before defaulting to APMEX. On a 100 oz silver purchase, the premium difference between APMEX and a low-cost competitor can exceed $100.
Buyers making small first-time purchases under $199 will pay shipping, which erodes value on lower-dollar orders. Monument Metals has no minimum order requirement, and Hero Bullion offers free shipping at $149.
If lowest possible premium per ounce is the primary objective, APMEX is rarely the answer.
The Verdict
APMEX earned a 3.7/5 rating because the total package (selection, reliability, customer service, and infrastructure) is the most complete in the industry. The premium gap is real and quantifiable, but so is the value of having 10,000+ products available from a dealer with 25+ years of operational history and a BBB A+ rating.
Consider the math on a typical purchase: a buyer ordering a 1 oz Gold Eagle and 20 oz of silver rounds might pay $40 more at APMEX than at SD Bullion. That $40 buys access to a better website, stronger customer support, a more reliable buyback program, and the confidence of dealing with the industry leader. Whether that premium is worth paying depends entirely on individual priorities.
For most buyers making occasional purchases of specific products, APMEX delivers a reliable, predictable experience. For systematic accumulators focused on cost-per-ounce making monthly purchases, the savings at other reviewed dealers will add up over time. A stacker buying $500/month in silver for five years could save $1,000-2,000 by using a discount dealer instead of APMEX. That is a meaningful number that deserves honest consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is APMEX a legitimate and trustworthy dealer?
APMEX is one of the most established online precious metals dealers in the US, operating since 2000 with a BBB A+ rating. The company has processed millions of orders and maintains a strong industry reputation. Legitimacy is not a concern.
How do APMEX premiums compare to other dealers?
On common bullion products like American Eagles and generic rounds, APMEX premiums typically run 1-3% higher than discount-oriented dealers like SD Bullion or Hero Bullion. On rare and specialty items, APMEX pricing is more competitive because few competitors carry the same inventory.
Does APMEX charge sales tax?
Sales tax depends on the buyer’s state. Many states exempt precious metals purchases from sales tax, but rules vary. APMEX collects applicable tax at checkout based on the shipping address. Check the gold investing guide for state-specific information.
How long does APMEX shipping take?
In-stock items paid by credit card typically ship within 1-3 business days. Wire transfers process in 1-2 days; checks require clearance time of 3-7 business days. Transit time depends on shipping method and destination, usually 2-5 additional days.
Can I buy precious metals for an IRA through APMEX?
Yes. APMEX offers IRA-eligible products and partners with approved custodians to facilitate self-directed precious metals IRAs. Setup involves opening an account with a custodian, funding it, and directing purchases through APMEX. Annual custodian and storage fees apply separately.