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Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Investment In Gold) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
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.