An important part of establishing an IRA is having a custodian for the account. The custodian holds the funds that you contribute.
This is true for any funding vehicle. This fact is especially important to note in the case of coin IRAs—the individual does not hold the coins, but the custodian does.
IRAs may be funded with the following investments:
Mutual funds
Zero coupon bonds
Certificates of deposit
Common stocks
Savings accounts
Unit investment trusts
Platinum, gold and silver coins
Individual retirement annuities
Money market deposit accounts
IRAs may not be put into the following investments:
Cash value life insurance
Collectibles
Next, read about how (and how much) you may contribute to your IRA.