Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Activity in Gold Bullion (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013 oz	Dec. 31, 2013 oz		Dec. 31, 2012 oz	Dec. 31, 2011 oz
Activity in Gold Bullion [Abstract]
Beginning balance (in Ounces)	6,999,900	6,999,900		5,498,800	3,783,000
Beginning balance, average cost	$ 9,315,055,000	$ 9,315,055,000		$ 6,572,102,000	$ 3,568,036,000
Beginning balance, fair value	11,647,783,000	11,647,783,000		8,418,739,000	5,317,017,000
Gold contributed (in Ounces)		614,600		1,951,200	2,333,900
Gold contributed, average cost		928,370,000		3,303,091,000	3,660,287,000
Gold contributed, fair value		928,370,000		3,303,091,000	3,660,287,000
Gold distributed (in Ounces)		(2,378,200)		(435,300)	(606,800)
Gold distributed, average cost		(3,199,151,000)		(541,586,000)	(644,033,000)
Gold distributed, fair value		(3,341,845,000)		(697,017,000)	(915,939,000)
Gold distributed, realized gain (loss)		142,694,000		155,431,000	271,906,000
Gold sold (in Ounces)		(15,800)		(14,800)	(11,300)
Gold sold, average cost		(21,261,000)		(18,552,000)	(12,188,000)
Gold sold, fair value		(22,834,000)		(24,815,000)	(17,758,000)
Gold sold, realized gain (loss)		1,573,000		6,263,000	5,570,000
Adjustment to gold bullion inventory(a)		(750,590,665)	[1]	0	0
Adjustment for realized gain, fair value	144,267,000	144,267,000		161,694,000	277,476,000
Adjustment for unrealized gain (loss) on gold, fair value		(3,083,319,000)		486,091,000	97,656,000
Ending balance (in Ounces)	5,220,500			6,999,900	5,498,800
Ending balance, average cost	6,272,422,000			9,315,055,000	6,572,102,000
Ending balance, fair value	6,272,422,000	6,272,422,000		11,647,783,000	8,418,739,000
Ending balance, realized gain (loss)	$ 144,267,000	$ 144,267,000		$ 161,694,000	$ 277,476,000

[1] At December 31, 2013, the market value of the gold bullion was below the average cost of the Trust's gold bullion inventory held. As a result, the Trust recorded a permanent write down against the average cost of the gold bullion inventory of $750,590,665.