Reply #10: If you are buying bullion coins, usually the dealer picks the dates

[Art_from_Ark]

If you are buying generic "old gold" (US gold coins minted in 1933 or before), you will probably not be given a choice of dates if ordering through the mail, unless you want to pay extra.

Regarding "BU" vs other conditions, modern bullion coins are assumed to be in BU (brilliant uncirculated) condition. If not, they will be worth less. Older "bullion" coins that actually circulated at one time (like English sovereigns and French 20 francs) will probably have some wear. Coins that were restruck at a date later than that shown on the coin (like French 20 franc "roosters" of 1908-1914, any Austrian gold coin dated 1915, Mexican 2 and 2 1/2 pesos dated 1945, etc.) should be in BU condition (because they never actually circulated).

And if you buy bullion gold, you can often get a discount if you buy 10 or more of the same kind at one time.