Orion Metal Exchange is a Los Angeles dealer that advertises a $10,000 rollover minimum, no setup or transfer fees and a commission-free buyback. Only the buyback claim appears on Orion's own site, and none of it comes with a published fee schedule. The $10,000 and $175 figures below come from a Money.com review last updated in February 2024, so treat them as questions for a written quote, not as a price list.
Orion suits someone with roughly $10,000 to $50,000 who is happy to ask for everything in writing. It does not suit anyone who wants fees and spreads visible before the first phone call.
We have no affiliate relationship with Orion Metal Exchange. Figures were checked on 14 October 2026 against Orion's website and a third-party review. We could not load Orion's BBB profile or run a regulator database search in this check, and the sections below say so where it matters.
Orion Metal Exchange at a Glance
Minimum Investment and Who Qualifies at $10,000
Money.com's Orion review (published October 2023, updated February 2024) puts the rollover minimum at $10,000. For a new IRA with fresh money, the minimum is simply the annual contribution limit. Money quoted $6,000, or $7,000 at 50 and over, which are older limits. For 2026 the IRS limit is $7,500, or $8,600 at 50 and over, and contributions need earned income.
Orion's own site states no minimum at all. That is not unusual, but it means the $10,000 figure is a 2024 third-party number. Put it next to what other dealers publish: Birch Gold Group states $5,000 on its own fee page, American Hartford Gold is commonly reported at $10,000, Noble Gold publishes $20,000 and Goldco $25,000. Our minimum investment comparison keeps those figures dated.
What this means for you: if you are rolling over $10,000 to $20,000, Orion is one of the few names that will take the account. Ask for the minimum in an email before you spend time on the rest. Another review that tests a headline offer is our Patriot Gold Group review.
Fees and What 'No Setup Fee' Leaves Out
Orion's site says only that 'there is a fee to buy and a fee to sell precious metals' and that its fees are 'lower than half of what our competitors charge'. No dollar figures follow. The numbers that exist come from Money.com: no setup or transfer fee, $175 a year for storage and insurance, and a possible free first year for deposits of $10,000 or more.
Run the arithmetic on a $10,000 account. A $175 annual fee is 1.75% of the balance every year. A typical 5% premium on standard bars, which is the middle of the range in our company comparison, costs $500 on day one. That single premium equals almost three years of storage. A waived setup fee is welcome, and it is also the smallest line in the bill.
Orion also promises to beat any competitor's advertised price and says it guarantees purchase pricing by phone, with an invoice before payment. 'Advertised' is the operative word. The only way to test the offer is to collect written quotes for the same product on the same day, which our guide to comparing gold IRA quotes walks through.
The Buyback Policy Tested
Orion calls it a commission-free buyback and says clients receive 'whatever value the market is rendering at time of liquidation'. That is a statement about commission. It is silent on the bid price, which is where a dealer's margin sits on the way out.
On standard bullion, dealers typically bid roughly 1% to 5% below spot, and collectible or proof coins can lose far more at the first sale, as our explainer on how buyback programs work sets out. Orion does not say whether its bid follows spot by formula or is set at the desk's discretion, and it publishes no spread. We found no figure to test, so we are not offering one.
The practical test costs nothing. When you get the purchase quote, ask for today's buyback bid on the same product, in writing, and compare the gap between the two numbers.
Reputation, Transparency and the Regulatory Check
Money.com reported Orion as BBB accredited since 2021 with an A+ and a 5-star score from 52 reviews, and Orion's site says it has been ConsumerAffairs accredited since 2018. Those are February 2024 and self-reported figures. We could not load Orion's BBB profile on 14 October 2026, so we are not stating a current rating or complaint count. Read the complaint text yourself, not just the grade.
On regulation, the sources we could read, including Orion's Wikipedia entry, mention no actions. We did not complete a primary-source search of the CFTC or state regulator databases, so that is not a clean bill of health. Our guide to checking a company's lawsuit and regulatory history lists where to look.
The bigger gap is financial transparency. Money notes that no major credit rating agency has reviewed Orion and that its financial reports are not public. That is normal for a private dealer, and it is also why the Rosland Capital bankruptcy matters. Metal already delivered to a depository sits in your custodian's account, but money in transit, an open order or a buyback payment owed to you all depend on the dealer staying solvent. Keep orders short and settle quickly.
Who Orion Suits and the Questions to Ask
Orion suits a $10,000 to $50,000 rollover from someone who is comfortable phoning, because Money.com reports that accounts are opened by phone. It is a weaker fit for anyone who wants a published fee sheet. Birch Gold Group, for example, lists its $5,000 minimum and flat $235 annual fee on its own site. Before you commit, get these answers in writing:
- Which custodian and depository will hold the account, and can I choose them?
- What is the price per ounce, the spot price at the moment of the quote and the exact product?
- What is today's buyback bid for that same product?
- Is the $175 storage fee all-in, and what are the exact terms of the free first year?
- What happens to an open order or a buyback payment if Orion pauses trading?
Common Questions
Is Orion Metal Exchange legit?
It is an operating dealer with a public address and a long list of positive reviews on the sites it links to. We found no regulatory actions in the sources we read, but we did not complete a primary-source search, and its financials are private. 'Legit' is not the same as 'cheap', so judge it on a written quote.
What custodian does Orion Metal Exchange use?
Orion's site names none and refers only to an in-house IRA department. Money.com says clients can choose their own custodian. Ask which ones Orion routes to in practice and what each charges.
Can you open an Orion gold IRA online?
Per Money.com, you must call to open an account, and online ordering comes only after setup. Orion's own IRA page puts the details behind a request for its free guide.
How does Orion compare with Goldco and Noble Gold?
On published figures, Goldco states a $25,000 minimum and about $225 a year, and Noble Gold states $20,000 and $285 a year, both on their own sites. Orion's lower minimum is the draw. Our Noble Gold review shows the small-rollover case in more detail.
What are the markups on Orion coins?
Orion does not publish them. Ask for the per-ounce price and the spot price together, and repeat the request with two other dealers.
This article is educational and is not investment, tax or legal advice. Figures were checked on 14 October 2026 and change without notice.
