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Significant Accounting Policies (Detail) - Schedule of unrealized gains or losses on the Trust's bullion holdings (USD $)
 6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Investment in Bullion - average cost $ 170,733,996 $ 196,641,565
Realized loss on investment in Bullion   (13,452,316)
Investment in Bullion - lower of cost or market value   183,189,249
Unrealized gain / (loss) on investment in Bullion 5,740,160 8,199,023
Investment in Bullion - market value 176,474,156 191,388,272
Gold [Member]
    
Investment in Bullion - average cost 88,571,183 95,031,713
Realized loss on investment in Bullion   0
Investment in Bullion - lower of cost or market value   95,031,713
Unrealized gain / (loss) on investment in Bullion 8,788,759 8,199,023
Investment in Bullion - market value 97,359,942 103,230,736
Silver [Member]
    
Investment in Bullion - average cost 63,134,696 76,742,076
Realized loss on investment in Bullion   (8,996,839)
Investment in Bullion - lower of cost or market value   67,745,237
Unrealized gain / (loss) on investment in Bullion (2,658,043) 0
Investment in Bullion - market value 60,476,653 67,745,237
Platinum [Member]
    
Investment in Bullion - average cost 11,265,082 15,338,914
Realized loss on investment in Bullion   (3,266,375)
Investment in Bullion - lower of cost or market value   12,072,539
Unrealized gain / (loss) on investment in Bullion 331,622 0
Investment in Bullion - market value 11,596,704 12,072,539
Palladium [Member]
    
Investment in Bullion - average cost 7,763,035 9,528,862
Realized loss on investment in Bullion   (1,189,102)
Investment in Bullion - lower of cost or market value   8,339,760
Unrealized gain / (loss) on investment in Bullion (722,178) 0
Investment in Bullion - market value $ 7,040,857 $ 8,339,760