Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Notes Tables

Activity in Gold Bullion [Table Text Block]

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018	Ounces			Average Cost			Fair Value			Realized Gain (Loss)
Beginning balance		7,828,465		$	9,663,574,842		$	10,149,604,427		$	—
Gold bullion contributed		930,477			1,237,667,439			1,237,667,439			—
Gold bullion distributed		(28,802	)		(35,797,403	)		(37,957,322	)		2,159,919
Gold bullion sold to pay expenses		(4,950	)		(6,136,226	)		(6,537,373	)		401,147
Net realized gain		—			—			2,561,066			—
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation		—			—			205,503,998			—
Ending balance		8,725,190		$	10,859,308,652		$	11,550,842,235		$	2,561,066

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017	Ounces			Average Cost			Fair Value			Realized Gain (Loss)
Beginning balance		6,308,062		$	7,706,923,343		$	7,311,674,849		$	—
Gold bullion contributed		355,672			431,456,784			431,456,784			—
Gold bullion distributed		(234,367	)		(286,185,422	)		(288,297,575	)		2,112,153
Gold bullion sold to pay expenses		(3,907	)		(4,771,262	)		(4,677,360	)		(93,902	)
Net realized gain		—			—			2,018,251			—
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation		—			—			546,559,551			—
Ending balance		6,425,460		$	7,847,423,443		$	7,998,734,500		$	2,018,251