Swiss America Trading Company is based in Phoenix, Arizona and has been helping investors protect their wealth with gold and silver for over forty years. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about the company and its products.
Swiss America is a national precious metals broker. It started in 1982 and has more than 40 years of experience helping clients buy physical gold and silver.
Swiss America Trading Corporation is the full name of the company. It is a registered precious metals dealer based in Phoenix, Arizona.
Swiss America started in 1982. That makes it more than 40 years in business.
Craig R. Smith founded Swiss America in 1982 out of a bedroom in his home with $50. He is now Chairman Emeritus.
Dean Heskin is President and CEO of Swiss America Trading Corporation. He started with the firm in 1992 as an account executive and became CEO in 2012.
Swiss America is based in Phoenix, Arizona. It works with clients across the United States.
Swiss America has served tens of thousands of clients across the United States.
Swiss America is a gold dealer that sells physical gold and silver. It is not a custodian whose role is to manage your retirement account, follow IRS reporting and buy gold and silver on your behalf.
No. Swiss America is a U.S. based gold and precious metals dealer.
Yes. Swiss America Trading Corporation was founded in 1982 and has served tens of thousands of clients nationwide. It holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been accredited by the BBB since 2009.
No. Swiss America is a registered precious metals dealer based in Phoenix, Arizona. It has operated for more than 40 years and publishes a clear process for resolving issues if they come up.
Swiss America holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. It has been accredited by the BBB since 1990.
Like any company, sometimes Swiss America has customer complaints. The company takes customer concerns seriously and has a published complaint resolution process.
Swiss America offers a Customer Service Guarantee and publishes a five step process for resolving issues. Every issue is addressed with follow up.
You can read reviews on Google, the Better Business Bureau, Swiss America’s summary review site and testimonials on the Swiss America website.
Yes. Swiss America is a member of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets, a national trade association that promotes ethical standards, transparent markets, and investor education in the precious metals industry.
Swiss America is endorsed by Pat Boone, Michael Savage, Mark Levin, Jerome Corsi, Erick Erickson, Lee Bellinger, Wayne Allyn Root and Mike Lindell.
Dean Heskin, the CEO, has been interviewed by FOX News, The Wilkow Majority, The Wayne Allen Root Show, CBS MarketWatch, Off the Grid, and Real Money Perspectives.
No. The first conversation is informational and there is no obligation to buy. You are free to ask questions and take your time.
Swiss America sells government issued gold and silver coins, collectible and numismatic coins, gold and silver bullion in bars and rounds, platinum products, and IRA approved metals for self directed retirement accounts.
Yes. Swiss America sells government issued gold coins and numismatic collectible coins.
Yes. Swiss America sells gold bullion bars.
Yes. Swiss America sells government issued silver coins and silver bullion in bars and rounds.
Yes. Swiss America offers platinum products.
Yes. Swiss America offers collectible and numismatic coins.
Government issued coins have value based on their metal content. Collectible coins have value based on rarity and condition.
Yes. Swiss America offers IRA approved metals for self directed retirement accounts.
Swiss America can help you through setting up a gold IRA and buying qualified precious metals but it does not set up the account itself. Instead, you’ll work with a self-directed IRA custodian to open the account and then direct the custodian to buy gold and silver from Swiss America for your investments.
The minimum transfer amount for a gold IRA is $5,000.
Swiss America has a minimum transfer amount of $5,000. The account initiation fee, yearly maintenance and storage fees are all charged by the self-directed IRA custodian that you choose to manage your account.
Swiss America works with all qualified custodians and often refers clients to Gold Star Trust.
The IRS requires gold and silver bars and coins be stored at an approved depository until you reach retirement.
Yes, you can roll over your 401k or existing IRA into a gold IRA using a direct rollover from your current custodian to the self-directed IRA custodian you choose for your precious metals investments.
Yes, Swiss America offers silver IRAs to help you hold physical silver coins and bars in your retirement account.
The IRS allows investors to own gold, silver, platinum and palladium bullion bars and coins that meet certain requirements for IRA eligibility.
Gold and precious metals IRAs were 21% of all Swiss America customer orders in 2025.
You can buy gold from Swiss America by meeting with one of Swiss America’s team members to share your goals and plans for investing. From there, Swiss America will guide you on the best options to meet those goals. Once you place an order, Swiss America ships the metals to your address or depository.
No, Swiss America does not have an online store because it provides an educational and consultative approach versus buying online without any support or guidance.
You work with the same account executive from the first conversation through any transaction and beyond. Your account executive stays your main contact for questions, follow up, and future needs.
The first conversation is informational. You can ask questions and talk about your goals, your concerns, and your experience with precious metals. The Swiss America team explains how gold and silver work, reviews the options, and outlines the benefits and risks. There is no obligation to buy.
If you are buying metals outside of a Gold IRA, there is no minimum purchase. If you are buying metals with an IRA rollover, there is a $5,000 minimum transfer amount from your existing IRA, 401(k) or other retirement account.
You can pay Swiss America by check or wire transfer in US dollars from a US bank.
Swiss America quotes you a price based on the current market plus a premium that covers costs for manufacturing and dealer markup. The price gets locked in when you confirm your order.
Swiss America ships your order securely and fully insured directly to your home or to a depository.
Yes. All orders include secure shipping, insurance, and full documentation.
Yes. Swiss America runs a two way market, so you can sell back to Swiss America in the future.
To sell back your gold, you’ll request a quote, ship your metals back so Swiss America can inspect them and then receive a final quote plus payment.
You can store gold in a home safe, bank safety deposit box or secure depository.
If you are buying gold outside of a retirement account, you can keep it at home. If you are using a Gold IRA to invest, the IRS requires your metals be stored at an approved depository.
Swiss America focuses on education and transparency. It gives full disclosure of both the upside potential and the downside risk, and it encourages disciplined buying instead of trying to time the market.
Swiss America has grown through long term client relationships and repeat business over more than 40 years.
It depends on what you need. If you are looking for expertise on investments, a company with a 40+ year track record and ongoing customer support, Swiss America is the better fit.
Yes. Swiss America provides educational guides and resources about gold and silver investing including a guide to investing precious metals.
You can get the free Gold IRA info kit by calling Swiss America at 1-800-269-8311 or by completing its form.
Yes, you can see the current spot price at the top of the Swiss America blog. Note that this is spot only and doesn’t include premiums for the final price you’ll pay.
You can find Swiss America’s regular sales data reports here.
Yes, Swiss America has an ongoing YouTube channel and podcast that you can access here.