Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

2.1. Basis of Accounting

Since the Trust’s inception, the Sponsor determined that the Trust was not an investment company within the scope of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), Topic 946, Financial Services—Investment Companies (“Topic 946”). Consequently, the Trust did not prepare its financial statements applying standards applicable to investment companies in accordance with Topic 946, including recording its investment in platinum at “fair value” as defined in Topic 946. Instead, the Trust recorded its investment in platinum at the lower of cost or fair value in accordance with ASC 330, Inventory.

Following the release of FASB Accounting Standards Update ASU 2013-08, Financial Services—Investments Companies (Topic 946): Amendments to the Scope, Measurement and Disclosure Requirements, the Sponsor has re-evaluated whether the Trust falls within scope and has concluded that for reporting purposes, the Trust is classified as an investment company effective January 1, 2014. The Trust is not registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and is not required to register under such act.

As a result of the change in the evaluation of investment company status, the Trust must, from January 1, 2014, present its investment in platinum at “fair value” as defined in Topic 946.

The adoption of Topic 946 accounting changed the presentation of the Trust’s financial statements prospectively from January 1, 2014 (the date of the adoption), the most significant aspects of which are as follows:

	1.	Presentation of the Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2013 has been conformed to the current year accounting standards. A Statement of Changes in Net Assets is required and has been presented for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
	2.	A Schedule of Investments is required and is presented as of December 31, 2015 and 2014
	3.	Financial Highlights are required and is presented for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
	4.	As the Trust meets the exemption criteria under Topic 946, a cash flow statement is not required for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. Since the adoption of the new accounting principle is prospective, the statement of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2013 is still presented.
	5.	Required disclosures under Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements, have been included in the footnotes to the financial statements as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.

The quantitative effect of the adoption of investment company accounting is presented below:



	Value at				Gain / (loss)
	December 31, 2013		Value at		as a result of
	at lower of cost		January 1, 2014		change in
(Amounts in 000's of US$)	or market value		at fair value		accounting principle
Investment in platinum	$	729,594	$	729,594	$	-

Valuation Of Platinum

2.2. Valuation of Platinum

The Trust follows the provisions of ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures ("ASC 820"). ASC 820 provides guidance for determining fair value and requires disclosure regarding the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

Platinum is held by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Custodian”), on behalf of the Trust, at its London, England vaulting premises. Platinum may also be held by UBS A.G., or any other firm selected by the Custodian to hold the Trust’s platinum in the Trust’s allocated account in the firm’s Zurich, Switzerland vault premises on a segregated basis and whose appointment has been approved by the Sponsor (the “Zurich Sub-Custodian”). Platinum is recorded at fair value. The cost of platinum is determined according to the average cost method and the fair value is based on the afternoon session of the twice daily fix of an ounce of platinum administered by the London Metal Exchange (“LME”) (the “LME PM Fix”). Realized gains and losses on transfers of platinum, or platinum distributed for the redemption of Shares, are calculated on a trade date basis using as the difference between the fair value and cost of platinum transferred.

Since December 1, 2014, the LME has been responsible for the administration of the electronic platinum bullion price fixing system (“LMEbullion”) that replicates electronically the previous manual London platinum fix processes previously employed by the London Platinum and Palladium Fixing Company Ltd (“LPPFCL”) as well as providing electronic market clearing processes for platinum bullion transactions at the fixed prices established by the LME pricing mechanism. LMEbullion, like the previous London platinum fix processes, establishes and publishes fixed prices for troy ounces of platinum twice each London trading day during fixing sessions beginning at 9:45 a.m. London time (the LME AM Fix) and 2:00 p.m. London time (the LME PM Fix).

Prior to December 1, 2014, the Trust utilized the London PM Fix as its benchmark for valuation purposes. The London PM Fix for platinum was the price of an ounce of platinum as set by four fixing members of the London Platinum and Palladium Market (“LPPM”) at approximately 2:00 PM, London time, on each working day and was widely accepted among platinum market participants. The London PM Fix was discontinued on November 30, 2014.

Once the value of platinum has been determined, the Net Asset Value (the “NAV”) is computed by the Trustee by deducting all accrued fees and other liabilities of the Trust, including the remuneration due to the Sponsor (the “Sponsor’s Fee”), from the fair value of the platinum and all other assets held by the Trust.

The Trust recognizes changes in fair value of the investment in platinum as changes in unrealized gains or losses on investment in platinum through the Statement of Operations.

The per Share amount of platinum exchanged for a purchase or redemption is calculated daily by the Trustee, using the LME PM Fix to calculate the platinum amount in respect of any liabilities for which covering platinum sales have not yet been made, and represents the per Share amount of platinum held by the Trust, after giving effect to its liabilities, to cover expenses and liabilities and any losses that may have occurred.

2.2. Valuation of Platinum (continued)

Fair Value Hierarchy

Inputs

Generally accepted accounting principles establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The three levels of inputs are as follows:

–	Level 1.	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the company has the ability to access.
–	Level 2.	Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments and similar data.
–	Level 3.	Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability to the extent that relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and that would be based on the best information available.

To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in level 3.

The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

The investment in platinum is classified as a level 2 asset, as the Trust’s investment in platinum is calculated using third party pricing sources supported by observable, verifiable inputs.

The categorization of the Trust’s assets is as shown below:



(Amounts in 000's of US$)	December 31, 2015		December 31, 2014

Level 2
Investment in platinum	$	403,969	$	622,683

There were no re-allocations or transfers between levels during the years ended December 31, 2015 or 2014.

Platinum Receivable And Payable

2.3. Platinum Receivable and Payable

Platinum receivable or payable represents the quantity of platinum covered by contractually binding orders for the creation or redemption of Shares respectively, where the platinum has not yet been transferred to or from the Trust’s account. Generally, ownership of the platinum is transferred within three days of trade date.

Creations And Redemptions Of Shares

2.4. Creations and Redemptions of Shares

The Trust expects to create and redeem Shares from time to time, but only in one or more Baskets (a Basket equals a block of 50,000 Shares). The Trust issues Shares in Baskets to Authorized Participants on an ongoing basis. Individual investors cannot purchase or redeem Shares in direct transactions with the Trust. An Authorized Participant is a person who (1) is a registered broker-dealer or other securities market participant such as a bank or other financial institution which is not required to register as a broker-dealer to engage in securities transactions, (2) is a participant in The Depository Trust Company, (3) has entered into an Authorized Participant Agreement with the Trustee and the Sponsor, and (4) has established an Authorized Participant Unallocated Account with the Trust’s Custodian or other platinum bullion clearing bank. An Authorized Participant Agreement is an agreement entered into by each Authorized Participant, the Sponsor and the Trustee which provides the procedures for the creation and redemption of Baskets and for the delivery of the platinum required for such creations and redemptions. An Authorized Participant Unallocated Account is an unallocated platinum account, either loco London or loco Zurich, established with the Custodian or a platinum bullion clearing bank by an Authorized Participant.

The creation and redemption of Baskets is only made in exchange for the delivery to the Trust or the distribution by the Trust of the amount of platinum represented by the Baskets being created or redeemed, the amount of which is based on the combined NAV of the number of Shares included in the Baskets being created or redeemed determined on the day the order to create or redeem Baskets is properly received.

Authorized Participants may, on any business day, place an order with the Trustee to create or redeem one or more Baskets. The typical settlement period for Shares is three business days. In the event of a trade date at period end, where a settlement is pending, a respective account receivable and/or payable will be recorded. When platinum is exchanged in settlement of redemption, it is considered a sale of platinum for financial statement purposes.

The amount of bullion represented by the Baskets created or redeemed can only be settled to the nearest 1/1000th of an ounce. As a result, the value attributed to the creation or redemption of Shares may differ from the value of bullion to be delivered or distributed by the Trust. In order to ensure that the correct metal is available at all times to back the Shares, the Sponsor accepts an adjustment to its management fees in the event of any shortfall or excess. For each transaction, this amount is not more than 1/1000th of an ounce.

As the Shares are subject to redemption at the option of Authorized Participants, the Trust has classified the outstanding Shares as Redeemable Capital Shares as of December 31, 2013 and as Net Assets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. For the year ended December 31, 2013 the Trust recorded the redemption value, which represents the maximum obligation (based on NAV per Share), with the difference from historical cost recorded as an offsetting amount to Shareholders’ Equity.

Changes in Shares for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 are presented in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets. Changes in the Shares for the year ended December 31, 2013 are set out below:



	Year
	Ended
(Amounts in 000's of US$, except for Share and per Share data)	December 31, 2013
Number of Redeemable Shares
Opening balance		5,150,000
Creations		1,400,000
Redemptions		(1,150,000)
Closing balance		5,400,000

Redeemable Shares
Opening balance	$	770,400
Creations		210,808
Redemptions		(162,799)
Adjustment to redemption value		(102,449)
Closing balance	$	715,960

Redemption value per Share at December 31, 2013	$	132.59

Income Taxes

2.5. Income Taxes

The Trust is classified as a “grantor trust” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, the Trust itself will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. Instead, the Trust’s income and expenses will “flow through” to the Shareholders, and the Trustee will report the Trust’s proceeds, income, deductions, gains, and losses to the Internal Revenue Service on that basis.

The Trust has adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740-10, Income Taxes. The Sponsor has evaluated the application of ASC 740 to the Trust, to determine whether or not there are uncertain tax positions in its major jurisdictions that require financial statement recognition. Based on this evaluation, the Sponsor has determined the Trust’s major jurisdictions to be where it is organized and where bullion is held. No uncertain tax positions have been identified. As a result, no income tax liability or expense has been recorded in the accompanying financial statements.

Investment In Platinum

2.6. Investment in Platinum

Changes in ounces of platinum and the respective values for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 are set out below:



	Year		Year
	Ended		Ended
(Amounts in 000's of US$, except for ounces data)	December 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
Ounces of platinum
Opening balance		514,614.2		537,256.0
Creations		58,059.6		34,084.7
Redemptions		(106,420.5)		(53,552.5)
Transfers of platinum to pay expenses		(2,986.3)		(3,174.0)
Closing balance		463,267.0		514,614.2

Investment in platinum
Opening balance	$	622,683	$	729,594
Creations		62,044		47,428
Redemptions		(111,353)		(71,275)
Realized (loss) / gain on platinum distributed for the redemption of Shares		(31,912)		(1,507)
Transfers of platinum to pay expenses		(3,237)		(4,429)
Realized (loss) / gain on platinum transferred to pay expenses		(791)		113
Realized loss on investment in platinum		-		-
Change in unrealized loss on investment in platinum		(133,465)		(77,241)
Closing balance	$	403,969	$	622,683

Expenses / Realized Gains / Losses

2.7. Expenses / Realized Gains / Losses

The Trust will transfer platinum to pay the Sponsor’s Fee that will accrue daily at an annualized rate equal to 0.60% of the adjusted net asset value (“ANAV”) of the Trust, paid monthly in arrears.

The Sponsor has agreed to assume administrative and marketing expenses incurred by the Trust, including the Trustee’s monthly fee and out of pocket expenses, the Custodian’s fee and the reimbursement of the Custodian’s expenses, exchange listing fees, United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) registration fees, printing and mailing costs, audit fees and certain legal expenses.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Sponsor’s Fee was $3,123,275 (December 31, 2014: $4,376,182; December 31, 2013: $4,973,343).

At December 31, 2015 $205,938 was payable to the Sponsor (December 31, 2014: $320,608).

With respect to expenses not otherwise assumed by the Sponsor, the Trustee will, at the direction of the Sponsor or in its own discretion, sell the Trust’s platinum as necessary to pay these expenses. When selling platinum to pay expenses, the Trustee will endeavor to sell the smallest amounts of platinum needed to pay these expenses in order to minimize the Trust’s holdings of assets other than platinum. Other than the Sponsor’s Fee, the Trust had no expenses during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

Unless otherwise directed by the Sponsor, when selling platinum the Trustee will endeavor to sell at the price established by the LME PM Fix. The Trustee will place orders with dealers (which may include the Custodian) through which the Trustee expects to receive the most favorable price and execution of orders. The Custodian may be the purchaser of such platinum only if the sale transaction is made at the next LME PM Fix, or such other publicly available price that the Sponsor deems fair, in each case as set following the sale order. A gain or loss is recognized based on the difference between the selling price and the cost of the platinum sold. Neither the Trustee nor the Sponsor is liable for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of any sale.

Realized gains / losses result from the transfer of platinum for Share redemptions and / or to pay expenses and are recognized on a trade date basis as the difference between the fair value and cost of the platinum transferred.

Change Of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

2.8. Change of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

On December 15, 2015, KPMG LLP replaced Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm to audit and report on the financial statements included in the Trust’s Form 10-K and the Trust’s 10-Qs. The predecessor independent registered public accounting firm’s reports on the Trust’s financial statements for each of the years ending December 31, 2014 and 2013 contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During the fiscal periods and through December 15, 2015, there were no disagreements between the Trust and the predecessor independent registered public accounting firm on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which such disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of the predecessor independent registered public accounting firm, would have caused them to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with their reports on the financial statements for such periods.

Subsequent Events

2.9. Subsequent Events

In accordance with the provisions set forth in FASB ASC 855-10, Subsequent Events, the Trust’s management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events existing in the Trust’s financial statements through the filing date.

During this period, no material subsequent events requiring adjustment to or disclosure in the financial statements were identified.