Statements of Operations - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Expenses
Sponsor’s fees	$ 21,630,631	$ 20,312,154	$ 15,245,766
Total expenses	21,630,631	20,312,154	15,245,766
Net investment loss	(21,630,631)	(20,312,154)	(15,245,766)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
Gold bullion sold to pay expenses	445,799	632,155	(611,193)
Gold bullion distributed for the redemption of Shares	21,770,115	24,436,649	(87,180,988)
Net realized gain (loss)	22,215,914	25,068,804	(87,792,181)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation	881,278,079	303,987,270	(659,078,052)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)	903,493,993	329,056,074	(746,870,233)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations	$ 881,863,362	$ 308,743,920	$ (762,115,999)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.23	$ 0.46	$ (1.40)