7 Best Gold IRA Companies 2023 (ranked by customer reviews).

If you want to diversify your financial portfolio, gold IRAs are a low-risk investment option that is very profitable for many investors. Our team combed through pages of reviews of the top gold IRA companies to find the best ones to invest in during 2023.

Gold individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are a type of self-directed IRA account that allow investors to put their retirement in reliable, tangible precious metals and valuables.

Gold IRA companies help investors source qualifying goods, find secure, compliant storage and manage account rollover.

Of the many gold IRA companies, these seven are the most reputable, trustworthy options for investors in the coming year.

Top 7 Best Gold IRA Companies

1. Augusta Precious Metals – Editors’ choice
2. Goldco – Best pricing
3. Noble Gold Investments – Best for beginners
4. Birch Gold Group – Best fee structure
5. American Hartford Gold – Best customer support
6. Advantage Gold – Best for first-time buyers
7. Oxford Gold Group – Best customer experience

Methodology

When deciding which gold IRA companies to recommend, we looked primarily at the following criteria:

• Better business bureau (BBB) rating: We only considered companies with BBB ratings of A+.
• Verified third-party reviews: To avoid bias, we looked at reviews from companies such as TrustPilot and other third-party sites, not just reviews from the company’s website.
• Promotions: We looked for the best investment opportunities for new account holders and beginners. These should have promotions and extra support for those investing in gold for the first time.
• Years in business: Low-quality companies will not last long in a competitive market. We looked for reliable companies that have years of expertise and practice.
• Customer reviews: We chose companies that had a large number of positive reviews from customers, not those with just a handful of comments.
• Leadership: We looked for companies headed by experienced, passionate leadership. A company is only as good as those who head it, so we wanted to ensure we only included companies with trusted, reputable leaders.

Gold IRA Reviews

After looking through countless companies, reviews and fee structures, these are the best gold IRA companies to invest in during the 2023 fiscal year. These companies meet and exceed the criteria laid out in our methodology and have many five-star, reliable customer reviews.

Augusta Precious Metals – Editors’ Choice

Augusta Precious Metals is a family-owned business that was founded in 2012. The company is committed to transparency, simplicity and excellent service. In addition to an A+ rating from the BBB, the Business Consumer Alliance rated Augusta Precious Metals at an AAA.

Company Highlights

• Location: Beverly Hills, California
• Services: gold IRA, silver IRA, physical gold and silver
• Available Metals: gold, silver
• BBB Rating: A+ Rating
• Fees: $180/year
• Investment Minimum: $50,000
• Promotion: Fees waives (depending on investment amount)

Why we chose Augusta: We chose Augusta Precious Metals for its outstanding customer support, solid reputation and strong business leadership.

Goldco – Best Pricing

Goldco was founded in 2011 and has since handed more than $1 billion in gold and silver investments. The company works with most major IRA custodians and supports gold and silver investments.

Goldco has one of the industry’s lowest account set-up fees, with a one-time account setup fee of just $50. Additionally, its storage fees start at just $100.

Company Highlights

• Location: Calabasas, California
• Services: gold IRA, silver IRA, physical gold and silver
• Available Metals: gold, silver
• BBB Rating: A+
• Fees: $175-$225/year
• Investment Minimum: $25,000
• Promotion: 5% off of a purchase of more than $50,000 more

Why we chose Goldco: We chose Goldco for its top-tier customer service, low fees and excellent buyback program.

Noble Gold Investments – Best for Beginners

Colin Plume founded Noble Gold Investments in 2016. The company is committed to ensuring that every investor understands every aspect of their investment. Noble Gold has an annual service fee of $80 and a $150 annual storage fee.

Noble Gold also offers an investment minimum that is low enough that you will not need to roll over another investment portfolio to open an account. If you want to invest in a gold IRA, but don’t have another account you can use for financing, Noble Gold is likely your best option.

Company Highlights

• Location: Encino, California
• Services: gold IRA, silver IRA, Royal Survival Packs, physical gold and silver
• Available Metals: gold, silver, platinum, palladium, rare coins
• BBB Rating: A+
• Fees: $225/year
• Investment Minimum: $2,000
• Promotion: Buyback of metals guarantee

Why we chose Noble Gold: The low investment minimum on their accounts, commitment to education and secure investment make Noble Gold a perfect choice for anyone new to gold IRAs.

Birch Gold Group – Best Fee Structure

Birch Gold Group is one of the largest precious metal dealers in the U.S. It was founded in 2003 and has nearly two decades of experience dealing with precious metals investments.

Birch Gold Group will cover your first year’s fees if you have an initial investment of more than $50,000. After that, you will pay an annual $100 storage fee and $80 management fee. Birch Gold Group has one of the lowest account opening fees of just $50.

Company Highlights

• Location: Burbank, California
• Services: gold IRA, silver IRA, physical gold and silver
• Available Metals: gold, silver, platinum, palladium
• BBB Rating: A+
• Fees: $180/year
• Investment Minimum: $10,000
• Promotion: First-year fees waived (for accounts with over $50,000)

Why we chose Birch Gold: Birch Gold Group allows for extra diversification because it offers gold, silver and platinum accounts. Additionally, it will waive its already below-average fees if you invest more than $50k.

American Hartford Gold – Best Customer Support

Since 2015, American Hartford Gold’s transparent pricing structure and low minimums have helped it serve thousands of investors across the U.S.

Leadership at American Hartford Gold is committed to fair pricing and quality service. The company has some of the lowest management fees in the industry and some of the highest-quality service.

American Hartford Gold also has a low minimum investment. This low minimum allows investors to open an account without rolling over from another investment account.

Company Highlights

• Location: Los Angeles, California
• Services: gold IRA, silver IRA, physical gold and silver
• Available Metals: gold, silver
• BBB Rating: A+
• Fees: $150/year
• Investment Minimum: $10,000
• Promotion: Receive up to $10,000 in free silver (with qualifying purchase)

Why we chose American Hartford Gold: American Hartford Gold has high-quality customer service. This, combined with its price match guarantee and buyback offer, demonstrates the company’s commitment to its values.

Advantage Gold – Best for First-time Buyers

Kirill Zagalsky and Adam Baratta worked at another gold investment company before leaving because they knew they could create a company that better-honored investors, so they left their previous organization to create Advantage Gold.

Advantage Gold provides customers with the information they need to make the right choices for their retirement portfolios. Advantage Gold offers customers extra flexibility by hosting investments in all four significant precious metal investments.

Company Highlights

• Location: Los Angeles, California
• Services: gold IRA, silver IRA, physical gold and silver
• Available Metals: gold, silver, platinum, palladium
• BBB Rating: A+
• Fees: $225/year
• Investment Minimum: $25,000
• Promotion: First-year fees are waived with a $50,000 purchase

Why we chose Advantage Gold: High-quality educational materials, various investment options and strong expertise make Advantage Gold one of the best options for beginners.

Oxford Gold Group – Best Customer Experience

Since 2017, Oxford Gold Group has committed to increasing the accessibility of precious metals investing. It knows that the wealthiest investors have historically been privy to the highest-quality investments, and the company is committed to changing this.

Oxford Gold Group has held to this claim. It has one of the lowest minimum investments of any gold IRA investment company. Scaling fees to investments makes for a high-quality customer experience with Oxford Gold Group.

The company also offers investments in all four primary precious metals, giving customers extra flexibility.

Company Highlights

• Location: Beverly Hills, California
• Services: gold IRA, silver IRA, physical gold and silver
• Available Metals: gold, silver, platinum, palladium
• BBB Rating: A+
• Fees: $175-$225/year
• Investment Minimum: $7,500
• Promotion: N/A

Why we chose Oxford Gold: Oxford Gold Group allows investors to look at their portfolios online. It also has a relatively low minimum investment and offers a diverse array of precious metal options.

Gold IRA Guide

Gold IRAs are a type of self-directed IRA that allow investors to diversify their retirement portfolio to include traded valuables, real estate, precious metals and more. These accounts are one of the only retirement account types that do not limit investors to paper assets.

Gold IRAs follow all the same rules of self-directed IRAs, but have a few additional different rules. These include:

• Strict storage requirements for valuables.
• The account must be separate from other stocks and assets, such as a Roth IRA investment.
• Only approves certain types of precious metals, collectibles and other valuables, such as American Eagle coins.
• Investors must purchase gold and other valuables through a custodian; customers cannot add gold they already own to a gold IRA.

Understanding Gold IRAs

When you’re considering investing in a gold IRA, there are some things that you should know before you commit to a company.

Scam awareness – Many false companies operate investment scams. It’s essential to look for a reputable business with positive third-party reviews. Watch out for investments that advertise an at-home or home-storage IRA.

Home storage of valuables for a gold IRA is illegal. Any company advertising this service is not one that you should trust.

New gold IRA investments – Gold IRAs follow the same rules as other self-directed IRAs. Self-directed IRA rules mean that there are investment limits each year. For 2022, this number is $6k if you are under 50 and $7k if you are 50 or older.

Many gold IRA accounts require significant minimum investments, far above this yearly maximum investment limit, before you will have to pay a tax penalty. This means that, in most cases, you must use a rollover from a regular IRA to open a gold IRA.

Fees and payments – Gold IRA investments have higher fees than traditional stock market investment options. These fees come from sourcing IRS-approved coins, paying for secure storage that complies with IRS regulations and account setups.

Gold IRA Fees & Costs

• Account setup fees: Account set-up fees are generally one-time fees that you pay when you initiate your account. These fees are usually in the range of $50-$150.
• Custodial fees: Custodial fees (also known as administrative fees) are usually annual fees. Typically, these fees range from $50-$150.
• Storage fees: Storage fees are charged by the depository holding your valuables. These fees are usually $50-$300 annually.
• Spot price markup: The spot price is the market price when you agree to the purchase, and the markup covers the costs associated with obtaining the valuables. For most gold IRAs, the spot price is about 10% of the gold’s value, though this can often fluctuate, particularly if you purchase in bulk.

Gold IRA Storage Options

Investors must store precious metal IRAs in an IRS-approved option. You cannot keep your gold in your home or a safety deposit box. The IRS approves many third-party options for gold and precious metal storage.

Here are some of the most commonly used storage options:

• Brinks Global Services: Brinks Global Services offers high-quality, secure logistics, making them a popular storage option for many gold IRA investors.
• Delaware Depository Service Company: The Delaware Depository is a precious metals custody expert with over two decades of experience protecting and maintaining gold investments.
• International Depository Services: International Depository Services is an IRS-approved storage option for precious metals in a gold IRA. The company has virtually every accreditation available to a depository and has storage available in the U.S. and Canada.
• HSBC Bank: HSBC has more than 150 years of experience in the precious metals market and is one of the most reliable storage options for gold IRA investing.

There are two types of approved storage options:

• Segregated storage: With segregated storage, the storage management company will ensure that you receive precisely what you put in. For example, if you place three gold bars in storage, you could mark those gold bars to ensure you receive those same bars back.
• Co-mingled storage: In co-mingled storage, you will receive the exact number of valuables you put in, but you may not receive the exact metals. You may receive another identical piece of investment when you cash out.

Before you invest in a gold IRA, make sure you know which storage option you or your investment company will use.

IRA Eligible Gold Bullion Coins & Bars

The IRA has strict requirements for what is eligible for a gold IRA. These are the most commonly used IRA-approved bullion and coins.

Gold

• Gold American Eagles Coins
• American Gold Buffalo Coins
• Austrian Gold Philharmonic Coins
• Australian Gold Kangaroo Coins
• Canadian Gold Maple Leaf Coins
• Chinese Panda Coins
• Gold Bars Coins

Silver

Silver bullion and coins must have a minimum fineness of 0.999 to qualify for an IRA investment. These are some of the most common choices:

• American Silver Eagle Coins
• Chinese Panda Silver Coins
• Silver Britannia Coins
• Canadian Maple Leaf Coins
• Silver bars from the Royal Canadian Mint

Platinum

Platinum bullion must have a minimum fineness of 0.9995 to qualify as a gold IRA investment. Some of the most common choices for platinum investments are:

• American Eagle Platinum Coins
• Australian Koala Platinum Coins
• Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf Coins
• Isle of Man Platinum Coins

Palladium

Palladium bullion must have a minimum fineness of 0.9995 to qualify as a gold IRA investment. Some of the most common ways to add palladium to a gold IRA are using:

• Suisse Palladium Bars
• Palladium Canadian Maple Leaf Coins
• American Eagle Palladium Coins

How to Pick The Right Precious Metals IRA Company

When it comes to your retirement investments and savings for your future, you must choose the safest, most reliable options for your money. Here are a few things you can do to ensure you’re selecting the best choice.

• A gold IRA company should have several years in service with many reviews and a high rating from consumer protection agencies.
• Avoid any gold IRA companies that advertise at-home storage of gold, as they are likely to be scams.
• Look for transparent pricing and fee structures. You should know exactly how much you will pay before you agree to any investment.
• Compare your chosen investment company with others. Look for competitive pricing options to make the most of your investment.

How to Open a Gold IRA Account

When you decide that you’re ready to open a gold IRA account, you should follow these steps to protect your investment:

1. Choose your preferred precious metals dealer: The top gold IRA companies from this list are all excellent options, but which one you decide to use will depend on your finances and preferences.
2. Check their eligibility requirements and investment minimums: Many gold IRA providers have investment minimums. You will need at least this investment minimum in another account to roll over and hit this minimum.
3. Request their free guide: Highly reputable gold IRA companies should have plenty of educational resources available.
4. Speak to an IRA specialist: An IRA specialist will give you financial advice to help ensure that you are using an approved depository, qualifying metals and maximizing tax benefits.
5. Decide how you are going to invest (i.e., 401(k), IRA, cash): If you want to invest more than the annual maximum, you will need to choose which of your qualifying retirement accounts you wish to use to purchase your new investment.
6. Begin rollover process or fund your account: Unless you use a cash investment below the IRS maximum contribution limit, you will need to use money from another retirement account to roll over into your gold IRA.
7. Purchase precious metals: You may buy gold, silver, platinum or palladium for your investment portfolio.
8. Complete the transaction or rollover process: Your chosen gold IRA custodian will guide you through the finalization of your purchase.
9. Watch your investments grow tax-free: Over the last five years (as of 2022), gold has increased in value by more than 35%, far outperforming the S&P 500.

Which Gold IRA Company is Best for You?

Diversifying your portfolio by investing in gold and other precious metals is an ideal option as these items are less susceptible to volatility and market fluctuations, which makes them a solid investment for retirement savings. They are reliable investments for uncertain futures.

Gold has a stable value that is likely to continue to rise in the future but has decreased in price in the last two years.

You should ensure you understand the purchasing and liquidation process before finalizing your investment. By choosing a reputable gold IRA company with good customer reviews, you can ensure that your investment will provide you with financial stability during retirement.

Gold IRA Companies FAQs

These are the most commonly asked questions about gold IRA investment companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I contribute to my Roth IRA account?

Roth IRAs let you save tax on retirement by allowing you to deposit your own money. These accounts cannot be withdrawn until you turn 59 1/2. However, if your goal is to withdraw funds before that time, there are certain rules you must observe. First, your principal (the original deposit amount) cannot be touched. You cannot withdraw more than the original amount you contributed. You must pay taxes on the difference if you want to take out more than what you initially contributed.

The second rule states that income taxes must be paid before you can withdraw earnings. So, when you withdraw, you'll pay taxes on those earnings. Consider, for instance, that you contribute $5,000 per year to your Roth IRA. Let's say you earn $10,000 each year after contributing. On the earnings, you would be responsible for $3,500 federal income taxes. That leaves you with only $6,500 left. Since you're limited to taking out only what you initially contributed, that's all you could take out.

You would still owe tax on $1,500 if you took out $4,000 of your earnings. On top of that, you'd lose half of the earnings you had taken out because they would be taxed again at 50% (half of 40%). So even though your Roth IRA ended up having $7,000, you only got $4,000.

There are two types if Roth IRAs: Roth and Traditional. Traditional IRAs allow for pre-tax deductions from your taxable earnings. Your traditional IRA allows you to withdraw your entire contribution plus any interest. You have the option to withdraw any amount from a traditional IRA.

Roth IRAs don't allow you deduct contributions. You can withdraw your entire contribution, plus accrued interests, after you retire. Unlike a traditional IRA, there is no minimum withdrawal requirement. Your contribution can be withdrawn at any age, not just when you reach 70 1/2.

Is physical gold allowed in an IRA.

Gold is money, not just paper currency or coinage. It is an asset that people have used over thousands of years as money, and a way to protect wealth from inflation and economic uncertainties. Today, investors invest in gold as part a diversified portfolio. This is because gold tends do better in financial turmoil.

Today, Americans prefer precious metals like silver and gold to stocks and bonds. Even though owning gold is not a guarantee of making money, there are many reasons why you might want to add gold to your retirement savings portfolio.

One reason is that gold has historically performed better than other assets during periods of financial panic. The S&P 500 declined 21 percent during the same period. Gold prices increased nearly 100 per cent between August 2011 – early 2013. During those turbulent market conditions, gold was among the few assets that outperformed stocks.

Another benefit to investing in gold? It has virtually zero counterparty exposure. Even if your stock portfolio is down, your shares are still yours. But if you own gold, its value will increase even if the company you invested in defaults on its debt.

Finally, gold is liquid. You can sell your gold at any time without worrying about finding a buyer, which is a major advantage over other investments. You can buy gold in small amounts because it is so liquid. This allows for you to benefit from the short-term fluctuations of the gold market.

What are the fees for an IRA that holds gold?

A monthly fee of $6 for an Individual Retirement Account is charged. This includes account maintenance fees and investment costs for your chosen investments.

You may have to pay additional fees if you want to diversify your portfolio. These fees will vary depending upon the type of IRA chosen. Some companies offer free checking accounts, but charge monthly fees to open IRA accounts.

Most providers also charge an annual management fee. These fees can range from 0% up to 1%. The average rate is.25% each year. These rates are usually waived if you use a broker such as TD Ameritrade.

How Much of Your IRA Should Be Made Up Of Precious Metals

It is important to remember that precious metals can be a good investment for anyone. You don't need to be rich to make an investment in precious metals. There are many ways to make money on silver and gold investments without spending too much.

You may consider buying physical coins such as bullion bars or rounds. Also, you could buy shares in companies producing precious metals. You might also want to use an IRA rollover program offered through your retirement plan provider.

You will still reap the benefits of owning precious metals, regardless of which option you choose. They offer the potential for long-term, sustainable growth even though they aren’t stocks.

And, unlike traditional investments, their prices tend to rise over time. If you decide to sell your investment, you will likely make more than with traditional investments.

What are the pros & cons of a Gold IRA?

The main advantage of an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) over a regular savings account is that you don't have to pay taxes on any interest earned. An IRA is a great way to save money and not have to pay taxes on the interest you earn. This type of investment has its downsides.

To give an example, if your IRA is withdrawn too often, you can lose all your accumulated funds. The IRS may prevent you from taking out your IRA funds until you reach 59 1/2. If you do decide to withdraw funds from your IRA, you'll likely need to pay a penalty fee.

Another problem is the cost of managing your IRA. Many banks charge between 0.5% and 2.0% per year. Other providers charge monthly management fees ranging from $10 to $50.

Insurance is necessary if you wish to keep your money safe from the banks. A majority of insurance companies require that you possess a minimum amount gold to be eligible for a claim. You might be required to buy insurance that covers losses up to $500,000.

If you decide to open a gold IRA, it is important to know how much you can use. Some providers limit the amount of gold that you are allowed to own. Some providers allow you to choose your weight.

You'll also need to decide whether to buy physical gold or futures contracts. The price of physical gold is higher than that of gold futures. Futures contracts allow you to buy gold with more flexibility. They allow you to set up a contract with a specific expiration date.

Also, you will need to decide on the type of insurance coverage you would like. The standard policy does not include theft protection or loss caused by fire, flood, earthquake. However, it does cover damage caused by natural disasters. If you live near a high-risk region, you might want to consider additional coverage.

Apart from insurance, you should consider the costs of storing your precious metals. Insurance won't cover storage costs. Safekeeping costs can be as high as $25-40 per month at most banks.

Before you can open a gold IRA you need to contact a qualified Custodian. A custodian keeps track of your investments and ensures that you comply with federal regulations. Custodians don't have the right to sell assets. They must instead keep them for as long as you ask.

After you have decided on the type of IRA that best suits you, you will need to complete paperwork detailing your goals. The plan should contain information about the types of investments you wish to make such as stocks, bonds or mutual funds. The plan should also include information about how much you are willing to invest each month.

You will need to fill out the forms and send them to your chosen provider together with a check for small deposits. The company will review your application and send you a confirmation letter.

When opening a gold IRA, you should consider using a financial planner. Financial planners have extensive knowledge in investing and can help determine the best type of IRA to suit your needs. They can also help you lower your expenses by finding cheaper alternatives to purchasing insurance.

How do you withdraw from an IRA that holds precious metals?

First, determine if you would like to withdraw money directly from an IRA. You should also ensure that you have enough money to cover any fees and penalties associated with withdrawing funds.

A taxable brokerage account is a better option than an IRA if you are prepared to pay a penalty for early withdrawals. You will also have to account for taxes due on any amount you withdraw if you choose this option.

Next, you'll need to figure out how much money you will take out of your IRA. This calculation will depend on many factors including your age at the time of withdrawal, how long the account has been in your possession, and whether you plan to continue contributing towards your retirement plan.

Once you have an idea of the amount of your total savings you wish to convert into cash you will need to decide what type of IRA you want. While traditional IRAs are tax-free, Roth IRAs can be withdrawn at any time after you reach 59 1/2. However, Roth IRAs will charge income taxes upfront and allow you to access your earnings later without additional taxes.

After these calculations have been completed, you will need to open a brokerage bank account. To encourage customers to open accounts, brokers often offer signup bonuses and promotions. You can save money by opening an account with a debit card instead of a credit card to avoid paying unnecessary fees.

When you do finally decide to withdraw from your precious metallic IRA, you will need a safe space where you can safely store your coins. Some storage facilities can accept bullion bar, while others require you buy individual coins. Either way, you'll need to weigh the pros and cons of each before choosing one.

Bullion bars require less space, as they don't contain individual coins. However, you'll need to count every coin individually. However, keeping individual coins in a separate place allows you to easily track their values.

Some prefer to keep their money in a vault. Others prefer to store their coins in a vault. Whatever method you choose to store your bullion, you should ensure it is safe and secure so you can enjoy its many benefits for many years.

Statistics

• Gold is considered a collectible, and profits from a sale are taxed at a maximum rate of 28 percent. (aarp.org)
• Indeed, several financial advisers interviewed for this article suggest you invest 5 to 15 percent of your portfolio in gold, just in case. (aarp.org)
• (Basically, if your GDP grows by 2%, you need miners to dig 2% more gold out of the ground every year to keep prices steady.) (smartasset.com)
• The price of gold jumped 131 percent from late 2007 to September 2011, when it hit a high of $1,921 an ounce, according to the World Gold Council. (aarp.org)
• Contribution limits$6,000 (49 and under) $7,000 (50 and up)$6,000 (49 and under) $7,000 (50 and up)$58,000 or 25% of your annual compensation (whichever is smaller) (lendedu.com)

External Links

law.cornell.edu

• 7 U.S. Code SS7 – Designation of boards for trade as contract markets
  
• 26 U.S. Code SS 408 – Individual retirement account
  

cftc.gov

• Fraud Advisory: Precious Metals Fraud | CFTC
  

forbes.com

• Gold IRA – Add Sparkle to Your Retirement Nest Egg
  
• Understanding China's Evergrande Crisis – Forbes Advisor
  

finance.yahoo.com

• Barrick Gold Corporation (GOLD) Stock Price, News, Quote & History – Yahoo Finance
  

How To

Gold IRAs are a growing trend

The gold IRA trend is growing as investors seek ways to diversify their portfolios while protecting against inflation and other risks.

Gold IRA owners can now invest in physical gold bullion or bars. It can be used as a tax-free way to grow and it is an alternative investment option for people who are not comfortable with stocks or bonds.

Investors can have confidence in their investments and avoid market volatility with a gold IRA. Investors can use the gold IRA for protection against inflation and potential problems.

Investors also enjoy the benefits of owning physical gold, which includes its unique properties such as durability, portability, and divisibility.

The gold IRA also offers many other benefits, such as the ability to quickly transfer the ownership of the gold to heirs, and the fact the IRS doesn't consider gold a currency.

This means that investors who are looking for financial safety and security are becoming more interested in the gold IRA.

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By: Donny Gamble
Title: 7 Best Gold IRA Companies 2023 (Ranked by customer reviews)
Sourced From: retirementinvestments.com/precious-metals/gold-ira-companies/
Published Date: Mon, 02 Jan 2023 08:22:00 +0000