Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Proceeds from gold bullion sold to pay expenses	$ 19,905,623	$ 15,431,681	$ 16,697,643
Expenses – Sponsor’s fees paid	(19,905,623)	(15,431,681)	(16,697,643)
Net cash provided by operating activities	0	0	0
Increase (decrease) in cash	0	0	0
Cash, beginning of year	0	0	0
Cash, end of year	0	0	0
Reconciliation of Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations to Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations	308,743,920	(762,115,999)	(42,416,645)
Adjustments to reconcile net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Proceeds from gold bullion sold to pay expenses	19,905,623	15,431,681	16,697,643
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
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Sponsor’s fees payable	406,531	(185,915)	(69,968)
Net cash provided by operating activities	0	0	0
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash information:
Gold bullion contributed for Shares issued	3,784,339,342	830,130,993	590,756,513
Gold bullion distributed for Shares redeemed	$ (1,992,755,088)	$ (1,071,599,347)	$ (605,981,738)