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Significant Accounting Policies (Detail) - Schedule of Investment in Silver (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
oz
Jun. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2012
oz
Jun. 30, 2011
oz
Dec. 31, 2011
oz
Ounces of silver          
Opening balance (in Ounces)     19,263,211.3 16,432,768.8 16,432,768.8
Creations (in Ounces)     793,368.9   9,048,980.8
Redemptions (excluding silver payable at December 31, 2011 - 297,810.2) (in Ounces)     (2,380,571.6)   (6,164,137.0)
Transfers of silver (in Ounces)     (28,164.6)   (54,401.3)
Closing balance (in Ounces) 17,647,844.0   17,647,844.0   19,263,211.3
Investment in silver (lower of cost or market)          
Opening balance     $ 524,562,808 [1],[2] $ 329,357,195 $ 329,357,195
Creations 11,364,637 94,405,843 24,396,727 173,133,984 348,314,831
Redemptions (excluding silver payable at December 31, 2011 - $8,109,767*) (37,964,447) (66,080,845) (65,013,440) (74,111,443) (151,789,835) [3]
Transfers of silver (382,249) (329,157) (768,609) (573,507) (1,319,383)
Unrealized loss on investment in silver     (5,273,871)   0
Closing balance $ 477,903,615 [1]   $ 477,903,615 [1]   $ 524,562,808 [1],[2]
[1] The cost of investment in silver at June 30, 2012 was $483,177,486 and at December 31, 2011 the market value was $542,837,297.
[2] Derived from audited Statement of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2011.
[3] Market Value of silver payable at December 31, 2011 - $8,392,292