The 197(Au) Mossbauer spectrum of AuI in an external magnetic field of
9.5 T yielded a positive sign for V-ZZ and an asymmetry parameter eta
=0.8. The experimental errors in the case of eta>0.5 are generally lar
ge. However, the result is in agreement with the monoclinic point symm
etry 2/m of the 4d Au position in the crystal structure. It hints to p
rimarily ionic Au+-I- bonding, indicating that Au+-Au+ interactions ha
ve to be taken into account. 6s6p bonding in the I-Au-I linear cluster
is minor.