Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Activity in Gold Bullion $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) oz		Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($) oz		Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) oz		Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($) oz		Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) oz
Activity in Gold Bullion [Abstract]
Beginning balance (in Ounces) | oz	5,302,300		5,311,400		5,182,200		5,220,500		5,220,500
Beginning balance, average cost	$ 6,411,164		$ 6,397,523		$ 6,254,868	[1]	$ 6,272,422		$ 6,272,422
Beginning balance, fair value	$ 6,293,810		$ 6,860,967		$ 6,214,710	[1],[2]	$ 6,272,422		6,272,422
Gold bullion contributed (in Ounces) | oz	95,700		73,600		427,600		228,800
Gold bullion contributed, average cost	$ 114,438		$ 95,742		$ 526,719		$ 298,177
Gold bullion contributed, fair value	$ 114,438		$ 95,742		$ 526,719		$ 298,177
Gold bullion distributed (in Ounces) | oz	0		(84,300)		(208,500)		(145,400)
Gold bullion distributed, average cost	$ 0		$ (101,571)		$ (252,031)		$ (175,072)
Gold bullion distributed, fair value	0		(106,925)		(251,695)		(184,254)
Gold bullion distributed, realized gain (loss)	$ 0		$ 5,354		$ (336)		$ 9,182
Gold bullion sold to pay expenses (in Ounces) | oz	(3,400)		(3,400)		(6,700)		(6,600)
Gold bullion sold to pay expenses, average cost	$ (4,054)		$ (4,142)		$ (8,008)		$ (7,975)
Gold bullion sold to pay expenses, fair value	(3,994)		(4,364)		(7,981)		(8,431)
Gold bullion sold to pay expenses, realized gain (loss)	(60)		222	[3]	(27)		456	[3]
Net realized gain (loss)	(60)		5,576	[3]	(363)		9,638	[3]	14,369	[4]
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation	$ (87,069)		$ 114,888	[3]	$ (164,265)		$ 578,332	[3]	$ (40,158)	[4]
Ending balance (in Ounces) | oz	5,394,600		5,297,300		5,394,600		5,297,300		5,182,200
Ending balance, average cost	$ 6,521,548		$ 6,387,552		$ 6,521,548		$ 6,387,552		$ 6,254,868	[1]
Ending balance, fair value	6,317,125	[2]	6,965,884		6,317,125	[2]	6,965,884		6,214,710	[1],[2]
Ending balance, realized gain (loss)	$ (60)		$ 5,576	[3]	$ (363)		$ 9,638	[3]	$ 14,369	[4]

[1] Previously reported as "Balance Sheets." Please refer to Note 2A.

[2] Cost of investment in gold bullion: $6,521,548 and $6,254,868, respectively.

[3] Previously reported as "Income Statements." Please refer to Note 2A.

[4] Previously reported as "Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)." Please refer to Note 2A.