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Two names that keep coming up are Rosland Capital and Lear Capital. Both are Los Angeles-based precious metals dealers offering gold, silver, platinum, and palladium and both hold A+ ratings from the Better Business Bureau.
But they are different companies built around different priorities, and those differences matter depending on what kind of investor you are.
Key Takeaways
- Lear Capital has been operating since 1997 with over $3 billion in completed transactions, giving it a longer track record than Rosland Capital, which launched in 2008.
- Rosland Capital's $2,000 minimum purchase requirement is among the lowest in the industry, making it easier to get started with physical metals.
- Lear Capital publishes a flat 5.75% commission on bullion, while Rosland's rates are variable and not publicly listed a meaningful difference for cost-conscious buyers.
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Company Backgrounds at a Glance
| Factor | Rosland Capital | Lear Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2008 | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles, CA |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
| Total Transactions | Not publicly disclosed | Over $3 billion |
| Minimum Purchase | $2,000 (direct); $10,000 (IRA) | $5,000–$10,000 |
| Metals Offered | Gold, silver, platinum, palladium | Gold, silver, platinum, palladium |
| International Offices | UK, Germany, Hong Kong, Sweden | U.S. only |
| Specialty Products | Formula 1, PGA Tour, British Museum coins | Standard bullion, IRA-focused |
Rosland Capital was founded by Marin Aleksov, who still serves as CEO. The company grew quickly through high-profile television advertising and has since expanded internationally with offices in the UK, Germany, Hong Kong, and Sweden.
Lear Capital was founded by Kevin DeMeritt in 1997 with a focused mission: make precious metals investing straightforward for everyday Americans.
Over nearly three decades, that approach produced a client base large enough to account for $3 billion in processed transactions.
Product Selection
Rosland Capital's catalog leans into the collectible and specialty coin space more than almost any competitor.
Through branded partnerships with Formula 1, the PGA Tour, and the British Museum, it produces limited-edition coins that attract both investors and collectors like the Jack Nicklaus gold proof coin or the Lewis Chessmen series minted in collaboration with the British Museum.
Standard bullion is also available: American Gold Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, PAMP Suisse bars, and Credit Suisse palladium. These products sit alongside the specialty items, giving investors a range from investment-grade to collectible.
Lear Capital keeps the catalog tighter. The focus is on IRA-eligible gold and silver, standard government-issued bullion coins, and bars from trusted refiners.
That narrower selection is a deliberate choice. Where Rosland Capital says "look at this," Lear Capital says "here's what you need." Neither approach is wrong it depends on what you're there to do.
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Pricing and Fees
This is where the two companies diverge most sharply. Lear Capital publishes its commission structure: a flat 5.75% on bullion purchases.
It also offers a price-lock guarantee for up to 72 hours after purchase, a 24-hour risk-free cancellation window, and fee waivers of up to three years for IRA accounts over $75,000. That level of upfront transparency is uncommon in the precious metals industry.
Rosland Capital's commission structure on bullion is not publicly listed. Third-party sources tracking the company place the range somewhere between 3% and 15%, varying by product type and purchase volume.
The IRA fee picture is clearer: a one-time $50 account setup fee, a $125 annual maintenance fee, and storage costs between $100 and $150 per year.
GoldRetireSmart estimates a first-year all-in IRA cost of approximately $450, rising to around $1,950 over five years which they note is above the industry average.
Fees Side-by-Side
| Fee Type | Rosland Capital | Lear Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Bullion Commission | Variable (est. 3%–15%) | Flat 5.75% |
| IRA Setup Fee | $50 (one-time) | Free (waived) |
| Annual Maintenance | $125–$225 | Varies; waived for large accounts |
| Storage Fees | $100–$150/year | Varies by depository |
| Price Lock Guarantee | Not offered | Up to 72 hours |
| Fee Waivers | Not standard | Up to 3 years for $75,000+ accounts |
Gold IRAs
Both companies offer self-directed precious metals IRAs. The mechanics are the same: you open an account with an approved IRA custodian, fund it via rollover or transfer, and the company facilitates the purchase of IRS-approved metals held in an insured depository.
Rosland Capital works with Delaware Depository for storage. Lear Capital works with multiple custodians and depositories, which gives clients more flexibility in choosing storage locations and fee structures.
The IRA minimum at Rosland Capital for direct purchases is $2,000 genuinely low compared to most competitors, where $10,000 is the floor. Lear Capital's IRA entry point runs between $5,000 and $10,000.
For someone starting small with retirement savings earmarked for metals, Rosland's lower threshold is a real advantage.
Customer Reviews and Reputation
Both companies have A+ ratings from the BBB. After that, the numbers start to diverge. Lear Capital holds a 4.9-star average across major review platforms, with over 2,700 Trustpilot reviews.
Rosland Capital sits at 4.2 stars on Trustpilot and 4.5 across combined platforms, based on approximately 1,678 reviews.
The pattern in Rosland reviews is worth noting: satisfied clients tend to rate it five stars; dissatisfied clients leave ones.
The complaints cluster around buyback processing delays and pricing confusion. Lear Capital's criticism tends to center on shipping times rather than pricing or communication.
Lear Capital has been a PCGS Authorized Dealer for years, which matters for collectors and IRA investors who need certified coin grading as part of their due diligence.
Rosland Capital holds a AAA rating from the Business Consumer Alliance, an organization that tracks business ethics and consumer complaints.
Both credentialing bodies carry weight they just speak to different aspects of what "trustworthy" means in this industry.
Online Experience and Education
Lear Capital's website functions like a research hub. Live spot prices, a knowledge base, smart tools for comparing investment options, investor downloads, price history charts, and an active blog that covered the Forbes report on China-U.S. competition for gold refining dominance just days after it published.
The site loads fast and navigates cleanly on mobile. Lear also offers a free investor kit and a $500 account credit to new customers who request information.
Rosland Capital's digital presence is functional but thinner. Educational resources exist a gold IRA guide, a buying guide, a historical price chart but the site lacks the real-time data tools and content depth that Lear Capital provides.
No live spot pricing on the main site. No interactive tools. The specialty coin collections are well-displayed, but someone new to precious metals will find more to read at Lear.
Who Each Company Is Built For
Rosland Capital makes the most sense for investors who want something beyond standard bullion. If you're drawn to limited-edition collectibles, exclusive branded coins, or numismatics with an investment angle, Rosland's catalog goes places most dealers don't.
The low $2,000 direct purchase minimum also makes it viable for buyers who want to start small without committing to an IRA structure.
It's also worth noting Rosland's international reach with offices across Europe and Asia, it has a global operational footprint that most U.S. competitors lack.
Lear Capital suits investors who prioritize transparency, retirement planning, and working with a company that has a long documented track record.
Nearly 29 years in business, $3 billion in transactions, a published fee structure, and a modern platform built around investor education make it a strong choice for anyone setting up or rolling over a precious metals IRA.
The price-lock guarantee alone is a meaningful benefit when gold prices move $50 in a single session.
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Current Market Context
Gold broke above $3,200 in early April 2026 on trade war fears and dollar weakness, and Swiss bank UBP has gone on record forecasting $6,000 per ounce by year-end.
Consumer confidence in the U.S. hit its lowest level in years the same week inflation data came in hotter than expected. When macro conditions look like this, the spread between how two dealers handle pricing and transparency becomes financially significant.
A variable commission on a $50,000 IRA rollover could mean a $4,000 difference between a 3% charge and a 11% one. These numbers aren't theoretical they're the reason published fee structures matter.
Conclusion
For most investors, Lear Capital's combination of fee transparency, longer operational history, and superior online tools gives it a practical edge over Rosland Capital.
Rosland Capital is the stronger pick for collectors or buyers drawn to specialty coins with a low starting budget.