Statements of Operations - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Expenses
Sponsor’s fees	$ 20,312,154	$ 15,245,766	$ 16,627,675
Total expenses	20,312,154	15,245,766	16,627,675
Net investment loss	(20,312,154)	(15,245,766)	(16,627,675)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
Gold bullion sold to pay expenses	632,155	(611,193)	698,688
Gold bullion distributed for the redemption of Shares	24,436,649	(87,180,988)	13,670,054
Net realized gain (loss)	25,068,804	(87,792,181)	14,368,742
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation	303,987,270	(659,078,052)	(40,157,712)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)	329,056,074	(746,870,233)	(25,788,970)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations	$ 308,743,920	$ (762,115,999)	$ (42,416,645)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.46	$ (1.40)	$ (0.08)