Money Metals Exchange vs SD Bullion

Methodology and disclosure

**Editorial disclosure.** BullionLens earns a commission when a reader opens an account or places an order through links on this page. This does not change the price either dealer quotes you. Editorial selection is independent — see [our editorial standards](/editorial-standards/). Reviewed `2026-Q2`.

Money Metals Exchange and SD Bullion are two of the most-cited 'low-premium' online bullion dealers in the United States. Both position primarily on price (tighter spreads on common products) rather than on inventory depth or numismatic specialty. Both ship insured to all `50` US states. The differences worth surfacing are operational: corporate parentage, payment-method menu, the way each dealer handles minimum-quantity tiers, and the buyback program structure.

We compare seven objective criteria: founded year, headquarters, spread snapshot on `1 oz` Silver American Eagle and `1 oz` Gold American Eagle, payment methods and surcharges, shipping policy, buyback policy, and Better Business Bureau record. Spread figures are snapshot from each dealer's public website on a single day in `2026-Q2`. Spreads move daily; the snapshot is illustrative, not a permanent ranking. Pages are rebuilt every `90` days.

Corporate backgrounds

**Money Metals Exchange** was founded in `2010` and is headquartered in Eagle, Idaho. The company has been operating for roughly `16` years and was founded by Stefan Gleason, who remains the company's president as of `2026-Q2`. Money Metals operates as both a retail dealer and an institutional supplier; the company has built out a depository service (Money Metals Depository) for customers who want allocated storage alongside their purchases. The two product lines (retail dealing and storage) sit under the same operating company.

**SD Bullion** was founded in `2012` and is headquartered in Tampa-Royal Oak, Michigan. SD Bullion is `14` years old at the time of this review. The company positions heavily on tight spreads and on a wholesale-style customer experience — minimal numismatic markup, broad inventory across silver and gold bullion-grade products. SD Bullion has remained privately held throughout its operating history.

Both are privately held. Neither publishes audited financial statements, which is true of nearly every US online bullion dealer (with the exception of those owned by public-company parents like A-Mark). The two-year age gap (`16` vs `14`) is small and does not differentiate the two operationally. Both have operated through the `2020` pandemic-era pricing spike and the subsequent consolidation, which is the most recent stress test for online bullion dealers.

Spread snapshot on common products

Snapshot as of `2026-Q2` on a representative trading day. Spreads are illustrative; compare live quotes at order time.

**Money Metals Exchange** on `1 oz` Silver American Eagle quoted approximately `$3.75`-`$4.75` over spot on the ask side. On `1 oz` Gold American Eagle, approximately `2.5%`-`3.5%` over spot on the ask side. Money Metals' published positioning emphasizes tight premiums on bullion-grade silver products and competitive pricing on common gold formats. The dealer tightens spreads at volume tiers (`20 oz`, `100 oz`, `500 oz`).

**SD Bullion** on `1 oz` Silver American Eagle quoted approximately `$3.50`-`$4.50` over spot on the ask side. On `1 oz` Gold American Eagle, approximately `2.0%`-`3.0%` over spot on the ask side. SD Bullion's published positioning leans into tight premiums on silver in particular, with a substantial 'Spot + 10¢' marketing line on certain large-volume tiers (rotating product specials).

On the snapshot reviewed, SD Bullion ran approximately `25`-`50 bps` tighter than Money Metals on the headline silver Eagle and the headline gold Eagle. The gap is small and moves daily. For a `$10,000` silver order, a `25 bps` spread difference works out to `$25` in headline cost. For a `$10,000` gold order, the same difference is `$25`. Spread differences matter on large orders; on small orders the shipping cost differential is the more relevant variable.

Payment method options and surcharges

Both dealers operate the standard online-bullion payment-method menu: bank wire, ACH, personal check at headline price; credit card and PayPal at a surcharge.

**Money Metals Exchange** accepts bank wire and ACH at the published headline price. Credit card and PayPal carry a published surcharge of approximately `4.0%`. Personal check is accepted at the headline price with a hold period for clearing. The dealer additionally accepts Bitcoin and select cryptocurrencies through approved processors.

**SD Bullion** accepts bank wire, ACH, and personal check at the published headline price. Credit card carries a published surcharge of approximately `4.0%`. PayPal and select cryptocurrencies are accepted with surcharge. SD Bullion's payment-method menu is broadly equivalent to Money Metals'.

Net read: payment-method economics are effectively identical. The `$0`-`$50` payment-method-driven cost difference on a typical order is below the spread-snapshot differential and does not move the comparison meaningfully.

Shipping coverage

Both dealers ship via USPS Registered Mail, UPS, and FedEx with declared-value insurance and signature required at delivery. Plain packaging is the industry standard; neither carrier disclosure appears on the package.

**Money Metals Exchange** ships to all `50` US states. Free shipping kicks in at `$199` per order on most categories on the standard schedule. Below the threshold, shipping is approximately `$8`-`$25` depending on order size and destination.

**SD Bullion** ships to all `50` US states. Free shipping kicks in at `$199` per order on most categories. Below the threshold, shipping is approximately `$8`-`$25`. Both dealers ship internationally on a limited-category basis with duties paid by the buyer.

Shipping policy is effectively equivalent. The choice between the two dealers does not turn on shipping. Both ship insured to the entire continental US; both use industry-standard plain packaging; both clear orders within `1`-`5` business days depending on payment method.

Buyback policies

**Money Metals Exchange** publishes a buyback program with quoted prices at the time of sale. The buyback spread on `1 oz` Silver American Eagle typically runs `$0.50`-`$1.50` under spot; on `1 oz` Gold American Eagle approximately `0.5%`-`2.0%` under spot. Money Metals will buy back coins originally purchased elsewhere subject to current-quote pricing. The dealer's depository service can also receive bullion directly into allocated storage as part of a buy-and-store flow.

**SD Bullion** publishes a buyback program with current-quote pricing. The buyback spread on `1 oz` Silver American Eagle runs approximately `$0.25`-`$1.50` under spot; on `1 oz` Gold American Eagle approximately `0.5%`-`2.0%` under spot. SD Bullion accepts buybacks on coins originally purchased elsewhere subject to current pricing.

Net read: buyback spreads are effectively equivalent between the two dealers. SD Bullion has occasionally run tighter on the silver Eagle buyback on the snapshot reviewed; the gap is small and shifts with market conditions. Confirm the buyback spread at sell-back time; the comparison snapshot is not a permanent quote.

BBB and consumer-affairs records

Both Money Metals Exchange and SD Bullion carry `BBB A+` accreditation as of `2026-Q2`.

**Money Metals Exchange** holds `BBB A+` accreditation. The complaint history is low in absolute count relative to the dealer's stated transaction volume; complaints are typically resolved through the BBB mediation process. There is no state attorney general enforcement action, SEC civil action, or SEC settlement on the public record as of `2026-Q2`.

**SD Bullion** holds `BBB A+` accreditation. The complaint history is also low in absolute count; complaints are typically resolved. There is no state attorney general enforcement action, SEC civil action, or SEC settlement on the public record as of `2026-Q2`.

Both dealers clear the regulatory-floor screen. The BBB record does not differentiate them in a way that should move a careful decision.

Where each may fit

We do not name a universal best. The comparison resolves on day-of-order spread comparison and on whether either dealer's specific service line matters to your situation.

**Lean toward Money Metals if:** you specifically want one-stop access to a depository service alongside the dealer purchase (Money Metals Depository), you appreciate the company's longer operating history (`16` years), or you have an existing relationship with the dealer that argues for consolidation.

**Lean toward SD Bullion if:** the snapshot spread on your specific intended product is tighter on the day of the order, or you appreciate the wholesale-style positioning with rotating product specials on large-volume silver tiers.

Both are `BBB A+` rated low-premium dealers. The choice between the two often comes down to which dealer's snapshot spread is tighter on the day, which is a per-order question rather than a one-time decision. For ongoing buyers, maintaining accounts at both and routing orders to whichever has the tighter spread is a common pattern.

_Educational content, not personalized investment advice. BullionLens is not a registered investment adviser. Consult a licensed adviser before making decisions about asset allocation or retirement assets._