Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of Stockholders Equity [Table Text Block]

	Balance at December 31, 2013		ASU 2013-08 Transition Adjustment			Balance at January 1, 2014
Redeemable capital Shares	$	6,240,747	$	(6,240,747	)	$	—
Shareholders’ equity	$	—	$	6,240,747		$	6,240,747

Activity in Silver Bullion [Table Text Block]

December 31, 2015	Ounces			Average Cost			Fair Value			Realized Gain (Loss)
Beginning balance		329,564.2		$	6,386,750		$	5,263,140		$	—
Silver bullion contributed		54,595.7			859,468			859,468			—
Silver bullion distributed		(64,583.5	)		(1,235,547	)		(1,029,094	)		(206,453	)
Silver bullion sold to pay expenses		(1,641.5	)		(31,419	)		(25,716	)		(5,703	)
Net realized loss on silver bullion		—			—			(212,156	)		—
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investment in silver bullion		—			—			(461,781	)		—
Ending balance		317,934.9		$	5,979,252		$	4,393,861		$	(212,156	)

December 31, 2014	Ounces			Average Cost			Fair Value			Realized Gain (Loss)
Beginning balance		320,177.8		$	6,243,467		$	6,243,467		$	—
Silver bullion contributed		71,956.1			1,361,917			1,361,917			—
Silver bullion distributed		(60,878.0	)		(1,185,617	)		(1,108,223	)		(77,394	)
Silver bullion sold		(1,691.7	)		(33,017	)		(31,961	)		(1,056	)
Net realized loss on silver bullion		—			—			(78,450	)		—
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investment in silver bullion		—			—			(1,123,610	)		—
Ending balance		329,564.2		$	6,386,750		$	5,263,140		$	(78,450	)

December 31, 2013	Ounces			Average Cost			Fair Value			Realized Gain (Loss)
Beginning balance		324,239.1		$	8,135,003		$	9,710,962		$	—
Silver bullion contributed		82,810.6			2,096,484			2,096,484			—
Silver bullion distributed		(85,164.1	)		(2,163,458	)		(2,031,644	)		(131,814	)
Silver bullion sold		(1,707.8	)		(43,296	)		(41,406	)		(1,890	)
Adjustment to silver bullion inventory(a)		—			(1,781,266	)		—			—
Adjustment for realized loss on silver bullion		—			—			(133,704	)		—
Adjustment for unrealized loss on silver bullion		—			—			(3,357,225	)		—
Ending balance		320,177.8		$	6,243,467		$	6,243,467		$	(133,704	)

Schedule of Capital Units [Table Text Block]

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015						2014
	Shares			Amount			Shares			Amount
Shares issued		57,150		$	859,468			74,950		$	1,361,917
Shares redeemed		(67,600	)		(1,029,094	)		(63,450	)		(1,108,223	)
Net decrease		(10,450	)	$	(169,626	)		11,500		$	253,694

Temporary Equity [Table Text Block]

	Year ended December 31,
	2013
	Shares			Amount
Beginning balance		335,000		$	9,706,654
Shares issued		85,750			2,096,484
Shares redeemed		(88,250	)		(2,031,644	)
Redemption value adjustment		—			(3,530,747	)
Ending balance		332,500		$	6,240,747