Why does a 1 oz silver American eagle coin appear larger than a 1 oz gold American eagle?

Is the gold a more dense metal? Or is is simply an optical illusion and the thickness is actually greater on the gold coin?

It is not an optical illusion. Gold is the denser metal, as you correctly suspect. Therefore, when comparing coins of the same weight of gold and silver, the gold coin will be the smaller in size.

Besides, gold coins are just fascinating to collect!

1858 LIBERTY HEAD $2.5 GOLD QUARTER EAGLE AU50 PCGS $349.00

10x 1933 $10 INDIAN EAGLE GOLD COINS REPLICA $29.95

4 X NRG ANODIZED M12 X P1.5 1.75" LUG NUT LOCKS FORD E-450 EAGLE TALON ROSE GOLD $24.99

Shiny 10K Black Hills Gold Eagle Tie Tack Coat Hat Pin $68.00

1 Oz- 2012 REPLICA GOLD EAGLE PROOF COIN$50 - "COPY" -SMALL INVEST & FUN GIFT! $12.93

1882 P Liberty Head Half Eagle $5 Five Dollar Gold Coin - Philadelphia $438.54

American Mint, Gold Plated 1861 Double Eagle, "Famous US Coins" collection $29.99

Southern Miss Golden Eagles Black-Gold Plaid Genuine Woven Boxer Shorts - L $14.95

F.O.E. QUOTA AERIE PIN (FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES) -10 CARAT GOLD $14.95

1924 United States Saint-Gaudens $20 Gold Double Eagle. PCGS MS63. OGH. PQ $1,890.00

A Guide Book of U.S. Double Eagle Gold Coins $13.95

1 GRAM .999 PURE U.S. SILVER BULLION 24K GOLD EAGLE BAR MINT UNCIRCULATED! $2.75

Marquette Golden Eagles Navy Blue All About Blue & Gold T-shirt $17.95

Marquette Golden Eagles Navy Blue All About Blue & Gold T-shirt $17.95

Marquette Golden Eagles Navy Blue All About Blue & Gold T-shirt $19.95

1856 NGC AU-58 $2.5 Gold Liberty Head Quarter Eagle $551.00

1901-S $5 LIBERTY HEAD GOLD HALF EAGLE $940.00

10 M.O.P (B) EAGLE Pendant 25mm w/10 Gold Plated Chains $22.95

Flying Eagle 18kt Gold & Rhodium Plated Mens Ring New $18.90

Flying Eagle 18kt Gold & Rhodium Plated Mens Ring New $18.90

Flying Eagle 18kt Gold & Rhodium Plated Mens Ring New $18.90

Flying Eagle 18kt Gold & Rhodium Plated Mens Ring New $18.90

Flying Eagle 18kt Gold & Rhodium Plated Mens Ring New $18.90

Flying Eagle 18kt Gold & Rhodium Plated Mens Ring New $18.90

Flying Eagle 18kt Gold & Rhodium Plated Mens Ring New $18.90

Boston College Eagles Ladies Gold Cabana Tank Top - L $18.95

Harley Davidson Motorcycle Chrome Handle Bar Lever Gold Eagle Spirit Logo $9.00

2005 PCGS MS 70 $5.00 GOLD EAGLE FIRST STRIKE REGISTRY! NO HAZE TONE STARBURSTS! $299.99

1988 Quarter-Ounce ($10) Gold Eagle ~ Gem Brilliant Uncirculated ~ $460.25

2011 Quarter-Ounce ($10) Gold Eagle ~ Gem Brilliant Uncirculated ~ $460.00

Southern Miss Golden Eagles Gold Vector Workout Shorts $27.95

Southern Miss Golden Eagles Gold Vector Workout Shorts $27.95

Southern Miss Golden Eagles Gold Vector Workout Shorts $27.95

2008 W NGC PF 70 UCAM GEM $5.00 AMERICAN GOLD EAGLE LOW MINTAGE NEW EDGEVIEW PR $319.99

Five Air-Tite Coin Holders for 1/10 oz Gold Eagles $5.99

2008 PCGS MS 70 $5.00 GOLD EAGLE FIRST STRIKE REGISTRY! NO HAZE TONE STARBURSTS! $316.96

WW2 Eagle Wings Gold Pin,Chevron,2 Stars General,Pinback,2 3/4" Wing,Airlines ! $9.99

1988 - P $5 Gold Eagle PCGS PR66DCAM $187.50

Five Air-Tite Coin Holders for 1/4 oz Gold Eagles $5.99

1 Oz-2012 REPLICA GOLD EAGLE PROOF COIN$50 - "COPY" - SEASON GREETINGS FUN GIFT! $12.95

RUSSIAN VODKA METAL FOLDING CUP TRAVEL SOUVENIR RUSSIA GOLD IMPERIAL EAGLE ST.GEORGE COAT OF ARMS GIFT $19.95 40127 * GREAT GIFT! BRAND NEW WELL-MADE ITEM! SECURE AND SPEEDY DELIVERY FROM LAS VEGAS, NEVADA- THE SILVER STATE! GREAT ITEM! HONEST PRICE! SUPERB QUALITY! SIMPLY THE BEST! WELL-MADE RUSSIAN SOUVENIR! RUSSIAN VODKA METAL FOLDING CUP TRAVEL SOUVENIR ADORNED WITH RUSSIA GOLD IMPERIAL EAGLE ST.GEORGE COAT OF ARMS. Folding collapsible cup and metal cover cup are perfect large "shot glasses" fo...

Lenox Eternal Gold-Banded Fine China 5-Piece Place Setting, Service for 1 $72.36 Refined and classic in its styling, the gold-banded Eternal fine china from Lenox lends instant elegance to any dining occasion. The ivory pieces feature a 1/4-inch rim of 24-karat gold, a narrow interior band of gold, and a gleaming glaze overall. An indentation in the rim gives dimension to the gold's shine, and the interior band adds a touch of refinement. The teacup is banded at rim and foot, ...

Sale - The Perfect Gift - History of American Eagle Stein - Limited Edition - Magnificent ! The body of the stein is a smooth, black and blue glazed, high quality stoneware decorated with a gold wrap around design. This stein has been crafted to highlight the different representations of the American eagle over time and to recognize this inspiring symbol of freedom as an important piece of the United States' history and future. A pewter emblem with gold highlighting is situated at the ce...

Souvenirs $5.93 vince at his best...

Ozzy Osbourne: God Bless Ozzy Osbourne $8.99 Ozzy Osbourne is one of the most iconic figures in rock and one of the founding fathers of heavy metal, however to many his Madman persona has overshadowed his considerable musical achievements. God Bless Ozzy Osbourne tells for the first time thestory of his career from the founding of Black Sabbath through to solo stardom and his wider fame beyond. These were the wild daysof his prodigious drug ...

Our Time in Eden $3.48 (7559613852)...

Sharpe's: Collection Set 1 [VHS] $48.94 Episodes included in this volume are: - Eagles - Rifles - Company - Enemy ...

TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: World War II - Battlefront Europe (Kelly's Heroes / Where Eagles Dare / The Dirty Dozen / Battleground) $7.99 Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 05/05/2009 Run time: 569 minutes Rating: Nr...

Blades of Glory (Widescreen Edition) $2.42 Blades of Glory is pure hilarity a gold medal comedy winner staring comic superstar Will Ferrell (Talladega Nights) and John Heder (Napoleon Dynamite). Bitter figure skating rivals Chazz Michael Michaels (Ferrell) and Jimmy MacElroy (Heder) brawl after tying for the gold medal at the world championships. Banned for life from men s competition these archrivals beat the system thanks to a loophole ...

Sahara (Widescreen Edition) $2.44 IN THE SCORCHING DESERT, DIRK PITT UNCOVERS THE TRUTH BEHINDHIS LIFELONG QUEST - THE FATE OF A CIVIL WAR IRONCLAD. NOW, AMIDST THE BLAZING, SHIFTING SANDS OF THE SAHARA, DIRK PITT WILL MAKE A DESPERATE STAND - IN A BATTLE THE WORLD CANNOTAFFORD TO LOSE!...