Silver deposition onto gold (111), (554), and (311) single crystals was studied by Auger electron spectroscopy and low energy electron diffraction. It is suggested that the growth mechanism depends partly on the atomic roughness of the surface. Growth on the (311) faces seems to follow a Stranski-Krastanov mode, while growth on Au(111) adopts a Frank-van der Merwe mode. The deposition of one monolayer of silver is required to lift the reconstruction of the Au(111) or (554) surface.