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Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Activity in Silver Bullion (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
oz
Sep. 30, 2013
oz
Sep. 30, 2014
oz
Sep. 30, 2013
oz
Activity in Silver Bullion [Abstract]        
Beginning balance (in Ounces) 322,872,900 318,481,300 320,177,800 324,239,100
Beginning balance, average cost $ 6,310,696   $ 6,243,467  
Beginning balance, fair value 6,738,358   6,243,467  
Silver bullion contributed (in Ounces) 30,743,400 29,225,500 60,841,000 78,089,700
Silver bullion contributed, average cost 581,957 601,985 1,184,514 1,992,277
Silver contributed, fair value 581,957 601,985 1,184,514 1,992,277
Silver distributed (in Ounces) (3,118,600) (5,544,400) (29,693,000) (59,304,600)
Silver distributed, average cost (60,967) (139,664) (580,118) (1,514,965)
Silver distributed, fair value (62,616) (124,455) (597,071) (1,501,375)
Silver distributed, realized gain (loss)   (15,209)   (13,590)
Silver bullion distributed (in Ounces) (3,118,600) (5,544,400) (29,693,000) (59,304,600)
Silver bullion distributed, average cost (60,967) (139,664) (580,118) (1,514,965)
Silver bullion distributed, fair value (62,616) (124,455) (597,071) (1,501,375)
Silver bullion distributed, realized gain (loss) 1,649   16,953 (13,590)
Silver bullion sold (in Ounces) (411,300) (411,100) (1,239,400) (1,272,900)
Silver bullion sold, average cost (8,041) (10,397) (24,218) (32,389)
Silver sold, fair value (8,297) (8,642) (24,582) (32,245)
Silver sold, realized gain (loss) 256 (1,755) 364 (144)
Adjustment to silver bullion inventory    [1],[2] 950,686 [1],[2],[3]    [1],[2],[4] (1,170,758) [1],[2],[4],[5]
Adjustment for realized loss   (16,964)   (13,734)
Adjustment for unrealized loss on silver bullion   950,686   (2,746,717)
Ending balance (in Ounces) 350,086,400 [6] 341,751,300 350,086,400 [6] 341,751,300
Ending balance, average cost   7,409,168   7,409,168
Ending balance, fair value   7,409,168   7,409,168
Ending balance, realized gain (loss)   (16,964)   (13,734)
Adjustment for realized gain (loss), fair value 1,905   17,317  
Adjustment for unrealized loss on silver, fair value (1,261,329)   (833,667)  
Ending balance, average cost 6,823,645 [6]   6,823,645 [6]  
Ending balance, fair value 5,989,978 [6],[7]   5,989,978 [6],[7]  
Ending balance, realized gain (loss) 1,905   17,317  
Beginning balance, average cost   6,006,558   8,135,003
Beginning balance, fair value   $ 6,006,558 $ 6,243,467 $ 9,710,962
[1] In connection with the lower of cost or market valuation standard for inventory, at September 30, 2013 a market value recovery was recorded to partially offset the previously recorded market value reserve. Please refer to Note 2C for accounting policy.
[2] In connection with the annual reporting close for the year ended December 31, 2013, management determined the manner in which it had previously reported the market value reserve on the Trust's silver bullion inventory within previously issued interim financial statements was incorrect. The recognition of a market value reserve to the Trust's inventory at September 30, 2013, which represents the adjustment necessary to reflect the carrying value of silver bullion inventory to the lower of cost or market value, was incorrectly reported as an expense of the Trust in the previously issued interim financial statements. Management determined that, according to U.S. GAAP, adjustments to the carrying value of the Trust's silver bullion inventory should be reflected against the revenues such inventory generates. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, total loss on silver was overstated by $2,121,444,013 and total expenses were overstated by the same amount in the previously issued interim financial statements. Management evaluated the impact of this correction to the previously issued financial statements and determined that the historical presentation of the inventory reserves did not materially misstate the previously issued interim financial statements; however, because of the amount involved with this adjustment, the presentation has been corrected, and the previously filed financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 have been revised accordingly.
[3] Previously reported as "market value recovery."
[4] Net value of amounts previously reported as "market value reserve" and "market value recovery." Please refer to Note 2C for accounting policy.
[5] Net value of amounts previously reported as "market value reserve" and "market value recovery."
[6] Effective January 1, 2014, the Trust qualifies as an investment company for accounting purposes. Disclosure of a schedule of investments is required for investment companies. Please refer to Note 2B.
[7] Presented at fair value at September 30, 2014 (cost: $6,823,645).