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Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Investment In Gold) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 oz | Dec. 31, 2013 oz | Dec. 31, 2012 oz
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |
Opening balance (in Ounces) | 865,587.1us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceOtherMeasure |  | 1,160,268.7us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceOtherMeasure |  | 1,065,686.5us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceOtherMeasure |
Creations (in Ounces) | 4,907.1sgol_CreationsOuncesOfBullion |  | 14,786.5sgol_CreationsOuncesOfBullion |  | 158,216.1sgol_CreationsOuncesOfBullion |
Redemptions (in Ounces) | (83,347.4)sgol_RedemptionsOuncesOfBullion |  | (305,365.7)sgol_RedemptionsOuncesOfBullion |  | (59,341.1)sgol_RedemptionsOuncesOfBullion |
Transfers of gold to pay expenses (in Ounces) | (3,314.5)sgol_TransfersOfBullionOunces |  | (4,102.4)sgol_TransfersOfBullionOunces |  | (4,292.8)sgol_TransfersOfBullionOunces |
Closing balance (in Ounces) | 783,832.3us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceOtherMeasure |  | 865,587.1us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceOtherMeasure |  | 1,160,268.7us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceOtherMeasure |
Investment in gold, fair value, opening balance | $ 1,040,003us-gaap_InvestmentInPhysicalCommodities | [1],[2] | $ 1,561,925us-gaap_InvestmentInPhysicalCommodities |  | $ 1,376,845us-gaap_InvestmentInPhysicalCommodities |
Creations | 6,437sgol_CreationsValueOfBullion |  | 22,226sgol_CreationsValueOfBullion | [3] | 268,941sgol_CreationsValueOfBullion | [3]
Redemptions | (100,689)sgol_ValueOfBullionDistributedForRedemptionOfSharesExcludingBullionPayable |  | (412,764)sgol_ValueOfBullionDistributedForRedemptionOfSharesExcludingBullionPayable |  | (98,454)sgol_ValueOfBullionDistributedForRedemptionOfSharesExcludingBullionPayable |
Realized gain on gold transferred for redemptions | 509sgol_RealizedGainLossOnBullionDistributedForRedemptionOfShares | [4] | 1,081sgol_RealizedGainLossOnBullionDistributedForRedemptionOfShares | [5] | 20,240sgol_RealizedGainLossOnBullionDistributedForRedemptionOfShares |
Transfers of gold to pay expenses | (4,195)sgol_CostOfBullionTransferredToPayExpenses |  | (5,992)sgol_CostOfBullionTransferredToPayExpenses |  | (7,130)sgol_CostOfBullionTransferredToPayExpenses |
Realized gain on gold transferred to pay expenses | 212us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfTrustAssetsToPayExpenses | [4] | 464us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfTrustAssetsToPayExpenses | [5] | 1,483us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfTrustAssetsToPayExpenses |
Realized loss on investment in gold | 0sgol_RealizedGainLossOnBullion | [4] | (126,937)sgol_RealizedGainLossOnBullion | [5] | 0sgol_RealizedGainLossOnBullion |
Unrealized loss on investment in gold | (2,266)sgol_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnInvestmentInBullion | [4],[6] | 0sgol_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnInvestmentInBullion | [5] | 0sgol_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnInvestmentInBullion |
Investment in gold, fair value, closing balance | $ 940,011us-gaap_InvestmentInPhysicalCommodities | [1],[6] | $ 1,040,003us-gaap_InvestmentInPhysicalCommodities | [1],[2] | $ 1,561,925us-gaap_InvestmentInPhysicalCommodities |
[1] | At December 31, 2014, the investment in gold is valued at fair value. At December 31, 2013 the investment in gold was valued at the lower of cost or market value. Refer to note 2.1 for a breakdown of cost and fair value of the investment in gold.
[2] | Derived from audited Statement of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2013. The amounts are those previously reported under non-investment company accounting. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.
[3] | In accordance with Topic 946, Investment Companies, the Trust meets the exemption criteria to exclude a statement of cash flows. Thus one has not been presented for the year ended December 31, 2014. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.
[4] | Effective January 1, 2014, the Trust has adopted the provisions of Topic 946, Investment Companies, and follows specialized accounting. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.
[5] | Amounts are those previously reported under non-investment company accounting. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.
[6] | Effective January 1, 2014, the Trust has adopted the provisions of Topic 946, Investment Companies, and follows specialized accounting. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.

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