Okay, maybe we're just dealing with semantics here and what each of us might call a color...
My 9C Super is about two years old, the 9ZAP is about 18 months old. While there may be what some would characterize as a "gold" faceplate on the 9C, I certainly wouldn't call it that. There is a bit of a tint to it when compared with the 9Z, but I would call the 9Z a chrome finish which in my judgement is, or can be, quite different than "silver" both in color and texture. The same color on differing textures can create what appears to be a substantial difference in the colors.
Here's a pic of the two tx's side by side in natural light.
For what it's worth, there are several other members in our club with 9C's and they all seem to be the same color as mine. Whether you choose to call it gold or silver is up to you, but you might consider finding one and looking at it.