Income Statements (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenue
Proceeds from sales of gold to pay expenses	$ 17,758	$ 11,051	$ 8,680
Cost of gold sold to pay expenses	(12,188)	(7,353)	(6,255)
Gain on sales of gold to pay expenses	5,570	3,698	2,425
Gain on gold distributed for the redemption of Shares	271,906	39,711	67,642
Total gain on sales and distributions of gold	277,476	43,409	70,067
Expenses
Sponsor's fees	(18,629)	(11,112)	(9,097)
Total expenses	(18,629)	(11,112)	(9,097)
NET INCOME	$ 258,847	$ 32,297	$ 60,970
Net income per Share (Note 2C)	$ 0.54	$ 0.11	$ 0.26
Weighted-average Shares outstanding (Note 2C)	481,399,041	295,602,603	236,867,123