We compare the RAS of the Au(110) 1 x 2 surface and the RAS of surfaces formed by depositing and then annealing two monolayers of Pd deposited on the Au(110) 1 x 2 surface. The similarities and differences between the RAS of the Au(110) 1 x 2 surface and the annealed Pd/Au(110) surface are consistent with the view that annealing gives rise to the formation of a Au overlayer on top of a mixed Pd/Au layer. The RAS suggests that the Au overlayer gives rise to the surface states found on the Au(110) 1 x 2 surface. (c) 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.