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Significant accounting policies (Details)
In Thousands, except Share data

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2010

USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2009

USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2008

USD ($)

Valuation of Gold

Investment in gold - cost

$ 42,736,696

^[1]

$ 37,736,064

^[1]

$ 28,463,669

$ 16,878,554

Unrealized gain on investment in gold

21,948,152

16,913,610

Investment in gold - market value

64,684,848

54,649,674

Gold Receivable

Gold receivable

0

255,409

39,068

Gold Payable

Gold payable

520,297

76,622

0

Number of Redeemable Shares:

Opening Balance

429,200,000

358,900,000

246,500,000

Creations

115,600,000

114,000,000

159,000,000

Redemptions

(138,000,000)

(43,700,000)

(46,600,000)

Closing Balance

406,800,000

429,200,000

358,900,000

Common Stock Number Of Shares Par Value And Other Disclosures [Abstract]

Opening Balance

54,809,779

^[2]

35,054,043

21,471,084

Creations

17,521,097

13,221,048

14,408,547

Redemptions

(20,567,866)

(5,023,591)

(4,081,786)

Adjustment to redemption value

12,374,823

11,558,279

3,256,198

Closing Balance

$ 64,137,833

^[2]

$ 54,809,779

^[2]

$ 35,054,043

Redemption Value per Redeemable Share at Period End

$ 157.66

$ 127.70

$ 97.67

Significant accounting policies (Textual) [Abstract]

Minimum block of shares issued redeemed against gold

100,000

[1]	The market value of Investment in Gold at September 30, 2011 is $64,684,848 and at September 30, 2010 is $54,649,674
[2]	Authorized share capital is unlimited and shares par value is $0.00. Shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 is 406,800,000 and at September 30, 2010 is 429,200,000.

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- Definition

Adjustment of redeemable shares to redemption value of shares.

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The total amount of gold due by the Trust within one year of the balance sheet date in respect of the redemption of shares.

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Gold Payable.

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- Definition

Gold Receivable Abstract.

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- Definition

The value (lower of cost or market) of gold received by the Trust in respect of the issuance of shares.

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- Definition

Market value of gold received by the Trust in respect of the issuance of shares.

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The minimum block of shares that can be created or redeemed against gold deposits or distributions.

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- Definition

Number of Redeemable Shares.

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- Definition

The net asset value per share redeemable at the period end.

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Significant accounting policies.

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The accumulated unrealized gain or (loss) on the investment in gold received by the Trust.

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Valuation of Gold.

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Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 30

-Article 5

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Dollar value of issued common stock whether issued at par value, no par or stated value. This item includes treasury stock repurchased by the entity. Note: elements for number of common shares, par value and other disclosure concepts are in another section within stockholders' equity.

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The total amount due to the entity within one year of the balance sheet date (or one operating cycle, if longer) from outside sources, including trade accounts receivable, notes and loans receivable, as well as any other types of receivables, net of allowances established for the purpose of reducing such receivables to an amount that approximates their net realizable value.

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Number of new stock issued during the period.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 12

-Paragraph 10



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Number of shares that have been repurchased during the period and have not been retired and are not held in treasury. Some state laws may govern the circumstances under which an entity may acquire its own stock and prescribe the accounting treatment therefore. This element is used when state law does not recognize treasury stock.

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-Publisher SEC

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-Number 210

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Paragraph 10



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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