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Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Investment In Gold) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015 oz	Mar. 31, 2014 oz	Dec. 31, 2014 oz
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Opening balance (in Ounces)	783,832.3us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceOtherMeasure	865,587.1us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceOtherMeasure	865,587.1us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceOtherMeasure
Creations (in Ounces)	14,687.4sgol_CreationsOuncesOfBullion		4,907.1sgol_CreationsOuncesOfBullion
Redemptions (in Ounces)	(29,376.6)sgol_RedemptionsOuncesOfBullion		(83,347.4)sgol_RedemptionsOuncesOfBullion
Transfers of gold to pay expenses (in Ounces)	(755.2)sgol_TransfersOfBullionOunces		(3,314.5)sgol_TransfersOfBullionOunces
Closing balance (in Ounces)	768,387.9us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceOtherMeasure		783,832.3us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceOtherMeasure
Investment in gold, fair value, opening balance	$ 940,011us-gaap_InvestmentInPhysicalCommodities	$ 1,040,003us-gaap_InvestmentInPhysicalCommodities	$ 1,040,003us-gaap_InvestmentInPhysicalCommodities
Creations	18,696sgol_CreationsValueOfBullion		6,437sgol_CreationsValueOfBullion
Redemptions	(34,998)sgol_ValueOfBullionDistributedForRedemptionOfSharesExcludingBullionPayable		(100,689)sgol_ValueOfBullionDistributedForRedemptionOfSharesExcludingBullionPayable
Realized (loss) / gain on gold distributed for the redemption of Shares	(330)sgol_RealizedGainLossOnBullionDistributedForRedemptionOfShares	246sgol_RealizedGainLossOnBullionDistributedForRedemptionOfShares	509sgol_RealizedGainLossOnBullionDistributedForRedemptionOfShares
Transfers of gold to pay expenses	(925)sgol_CostOfBullionTransferredToPayExpenses		(4,195)sgol_CostOfBullionTransferredToPayExpenses
Realized gain on gold transferred to pay expenses	16us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfTrustAssetsToPayExpenses	36us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfTrustAssetsToPayExpenses	212us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfTrustAssetsToPayExpenses
Unrealized loss on investment in gold	(10,394)sgol_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnInvestmentInBullion	77,157sgol_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnInvestmentInBullion	(2,266)sgol_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnInvestmentInBullion	[1]
Investment in gold, fair value, closing balance	$ 912,076us-gaap_InvestmentInPhysicalCommodities		$ 940,011us-gaap_InvestmentInPhysicalCommodities
[1] 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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Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investment in Bullion

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- Definition

Ounces of bullion received into the Trust's account in respect of creations.

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Realized gain or loss during the period on bullion distributed for the redemption of Shares. Realized gains or losses are calculated on a trade date basis using average cost.

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Ounces of bullion transferred to pay Trust's expenses.

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Gain (loss) related to the sale of trust assets (includes, but is not limited to, gold and silver) to pay trust expenses.

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Investments held in physical commodities, such as gold, silver, platinum, crude oil, coal, sugar, rice, wheat.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



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Quantity of the investment. Indicate the measure in the unit of measure. This is commonly used for investments other than securities. For example, if the investment is gold, the balance would be the number of ounces and the unit of measure would indicate "ounces".

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 946

-SubTopic 320

-Section S99

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-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-13.2, Column B)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34726532&loc=d3e611282-123010



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