iShares Gold Trust (IAU) 10-K 28 Feb 19 2018 FY Annual report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	ISHARES GOLD TRUST
Entity Central Index Key	1,278,680
Trading Symbol	iau
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)	940,200,000
Entity Public Float		$ 9,189,173,407
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Shell Company	false

Statements of Assets and Liabil

Statements of Assets and Liabilities - USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets
Investment in gold bullion, at fair value(a)	[1]	$ 11,547,078,166	$ 10,149,604,427
Total Assets		11,547,078,166	10,149,604,427
Liabilities
Sponsor’s fees payable		2,340,020	2,097,290
Total Liabilities		2,340,020	2,097,290
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 6)
Net Assets		$ 11,544,738,146	$ 10,147,507,137
Shares issued and outstanding(b) (in shares)	[2]	940,200,000	814,900,000
Net asset value per Share (Note 2C) (in dollars per share)		$ 12.28	$ 12.45
[1]	Cost of investment in gold bullion: $11,255,129,376 and $9,663,574,842, respectively.
[2]	No par value, unlimited amount authorized.

Statements of Assets and Liab_2

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ / shares in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Investment in gold bullion, cost	$ 11,255,129,376	$ 9,663,574,842
Shares, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0
Shares, issued (in shares)	940,200,000	814,900,000

Statements of Operations

Statements of Operations - USD ($)		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Expenses
Sponsor’s fees		$ 27,533,111	$ 21,630,631	$ 20,312,154
Total expenses		27,533,111	21,630,631	20,312,154
Net investment loss		(27,533,111)	(21,630,631)	(20,312,154)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
Gold bullion sold to pay expenses		409,457	445,799	632,155
Gold bullion distributed for the redemption of Shares		23,081,969	21,770,115	24,436,649
Net realized gain		23,491,426	22,215,914	25,068,804
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation		(194,080,795)	881,278,079	303,987,270
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)		(170,589,369)	903,493,993	329,056,074
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		$ (198,122,480)	$ 881,863,362	$ 308,743,920
Net increase (decrease) in net assets per Share(a) (in dollars per share)	[1]	$ (0.22)	$ 1.23	$ 0.46
[1]	Net incease (decrease) in net assets per Share based on average shares outstanding during the period.

Statements of Changes in Net As

Statements of Changes in Net Assets - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Net Assets, Beginning of Year	$ 10,147,507,137	$ 7,310,131,020	$ 5,209,802,846
Operations:
Net investment loss	(27,533,111)	(21,630,631)	(20,312,154)
Net realized gain	23,491,426	22,215,914	25,068,804
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation	(194,080,795)	881,278,079	303,987,270
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations	(198,122,480)	881,863,362	308,743,920
Capital Share Transactions:
Contributions for Shares issued	3,078,649,161	2,782,113,163	3,784,339,342
Distributions for Shares redeemed	(1,483,295,672)	(826,600,408)	(1,992,755,088)
Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions	1,595,353,489	1,955,512,755	1,791,584,254
Increase in net assets	1,397,231,009	2,837,376,117	2,100,328,174
Net Assets, End of Year	$ 11,544,738,146	$ 10,147,507,137	$ 7,310,131,020
Shares issued and redeemed
Shares issued (in shares)	247,000,000	228,250,000	314,850,000
Shares redeemed (in shares)	(121,700,000)	(68,350,000)	(167,950,000)
Net increase in Shares issued and outstanding (in shares)	125,300,000	159,900,000	146,900,000

Statements of Cash Flows

Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Proceeds from gold bullion sold to pay expenses	$ 27,290,381	$ 21,077,170	$ 19,905,623
Expenses – Sponsor’s fees paid	(27,290,381)	(21,077,170)	(19,905,623)
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	(198,122,480)	881,863,362	308,743,920
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	27,290,381	21,077,170	19,905,623
Net realized (gain) loss	(23,491,426)	(22,215,914)	(25,068,804)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation	194,080,795	(881,278,079)	(303,987,270)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Sponsor’s fees payable	242,730	553,461	406,531
Net cash provided by operating activities	0	0	0
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash information:
Gold bullion contributed for Shares issued	3,078,649,161	2,782,113,163	3,784,339,342
Gold bullion distributed for Shares redeemed	$ (1,483,295,672)	$ (826,600,408)	$ (1,992,755,088)

Schedules of Investments

Schedules of Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Investment Holdings, Schedule of Investments [Text Block]	Schedules of Investments At December 31, 2018 2017 December 31, 2018 Description Ounces Cost Fair Value Gold bullion 9,009,541 $ 11,255,129,376 $ 11,547,078,166 Total Investment – 100.02% 11,547,078,166 Less Liabilities – (0.02)% (2,340,020 ) Net Assets – 100.00% $ 11,544,738,146 December 31, 2017 Description Ounces Cost Fair Value Gold bullion 7,828,465 $ 9,663,574,842 $ 10,149,604,427 Total Investment – 100.02% 10,149,604,427 Less Liabilities – (0.02)% (2,097,290 ) Net Assets – 100.00% $ 10,147,507,137 See notes to financial statements.

Note 1 - Organization

Note 1 - Organization	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block]	1 - Organization The iShares Gold Trust (the “Trust”) was organized on January 21, 2005 December 22, 2016. The Trust seeks to reflect generally the performance of the price of gold. The Trust seeks to reflect such performance before payment of the Trust’s expenses and liabilities. The Trust is designed to provide a vehicle for investors to make an investment similar to an investment in gold. The Trust qualifies as an investment company solely for accounting purposes and not 946, Financial Services - Investment Companies not not 1940,

Note 2 - Significant Accounting

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	2 A. Basis of Accounting The following significant accounting policies are consistently followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain statements and captions in the financial statements for the prior periods have been changed to conform to the current financial statement presentation. B. Gold Bullion JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., London branch (the “Custodian”), is responsible for the safekeeping of gold bullion owned by the Trust. Fair value of the gold bullion held by the Trust is based on that day’s London Bullion Market Association (“LBMA”) Gold Price PM. “LBMA Gold Price PM” is the price per fine troy ounce of gold, stated in U.S. dollars, determined by the ICE Benchmark Administration (“IBA”) following an electronic auction consisting of one 30 second 3:00 no 10:30 Gain or loss on sales of gold bullion is calculated on a trade date basis using the average cost method. The following tables summarize activity in gold bullion for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 2016: December 31, 2018 Ounces Cost Fair Realized Beginning balance 7,828,465 $ 9,663,574,842 $ 10,149,604,427 $ — Gold bullion contributed 2,370,108 3,078,649,161 3,078,649,161 — Gold bullion distributed (1,167,483 ) (1,460,213,703 ) (1,483,295,672 ) 23,081,969 Gold bullion sold to pay expenses (21,549 ) (26,880,924 ) (27,290,381 ) 409,457 Net realized gain — — 23,491,426 — Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation — — (194,080,795 ) — Ending balance 9,009,541 $ 11,255,129,376 $ 11,547,078,166 $ 23,491,426 December 31, 2017 Ounces Cost Fair Realized Beginning balance 6,308,062 $ 7,706,923,343 $ 7,311,674,849 $ — Gold bullion contributed 2,194,645 2,782,113,163 2,782,113,163 — Gold bullion distributed (657,409 ) (804,830,293 ) (826,600,408 ) 21,770,115 Gold bullion sold to pay expenses (16,833 ) (20,631,371 ) (21,077,170 ) 445,799 Net realized gain — — 22,215,914 — Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation — — 881,278,079 — Ending balance 7,828,465 $ 9,663,574,842 $ 10,149,604,427 $ 22,215,914 December 31, 2016 Ounces Cost Fair Realized Beginning balance 4,905,568 $ 5,910,175,908 $ 5,210,940,144 $ — Gold bullion contributed 3,036,655 3,784,339,342 3,784,339,342 — Gold bullion distributed (1,618,237 ) (1,968,318,439 ) (1,992,755,088 ) 24,436,649 Gold bullion sold to pay expenses (15,924 ) (19,273,468 ) (19,905,623 ) 632,155 Net realized gain — — 25,068,804 — Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation — — 303,987,270 — Ending balance 6,308,062 $ 7,706,923,343 $ 7,311,674,849 $ 25,068,804 C. Calculati on of Net Asset Value On each business day, as soon as practicable after 4:00 D. Offering of the Shares Trust Shares are issued and redeemed continuously in aggregations of 50,000 may 50,000 provided may not The per Share amount of gold exchanged for a purchase or redemption represents the per Share amount of gold held by the Trust, after giving effect to its liabilities. When gold bullion is exchanged in settlement of a redemption, it is considered a sale of gold bullion for accounting purposes. Share activities for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 2016 December 31, 2018 2017 2016 Shares Amount Shares Amount Shares Amount Shares issued 247,000,000 $ 3,078,649,161 228,250,000 $ 2,782,113,163 314,850,000 $ 3,784,339,342 Shares redeemed (121,700,000 ) (1,483,295,672 ) (68,350,000 ) (826,600,408 ) (167,950,000 ) (1,992,755,088 ) Net increase 125,300,000 $ 1,595,353,489 159,900,000 $ 1,955,512,755 146,900,000 $ 1,791,584,254 E. Federal Income Taxes The Trust is treated as a grantor trust for federal income tax purposes and, therefore, no The Sponsor has analyzed applicable tax laws and regulations and their application to the Trust as of December 31, 2018 not

Note 3 - Trust Expenses

Note 3 - Trust Expenses	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Trust Expenses [Text Block]	3 - Trust Expenses The Trust pays to the Sponsor a Sponsor’s fee that accrues daily at an annualized rate equal to 0.25% $100,000

Note 4 - Related Parties

Note 4 - Related Parties	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	4 The Sponsor and the Trustee are considered to be related parties to the Trust. The Trustee’s fee is paid by the Sponsor and is not

Note 5 - Indemnification

Note 5 - Indemnification	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Indemnification [Text Block]	5 The Trust Agreement provides that the Sponsor and its shareholders, directors, officers, employees, affiliates and subsidiaries shall be indemnified by the Trust for any loss, liability or expense incurred by any such person that arises out of or in connection with the performance of obligations under the Trust Agreement or any actions taken in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Agreement, absent such person’s negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct, willful malfeasance or reckless disregard of such person’s duties and obligations. The Trust has agreed that the Custodian will only be responsible for any loss or damage suffered by the Trust as a direct result of the Custodian’s negligence, fraud or willful default in the performance of its duties.

Note 6 - Commitments and Contin

Note 6 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	6 In the normal course of business, the Trust may may not

Note 7 - Concentration Risk

Note 7 - Concentration Risk	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block]	7 Substantially all of the Trust’s assets are holdings of gold bullion, which creates a concentration risk associated with fluctuations in the price of gold. Accordingly, a decline in the price of gold will have an adverse effect on the value of the Shares of the Trust. Factors that may

Note 8 - Financial Highlights

Note 8 - Financial Highlights	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Financial Highlights [Text Block]	8 - Financial Highlights The following financial highlights relate to investment performance and operations for a Share outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 2016. December 31, 2018 2017 2016 Net asset value per Share, beginning of year $ 12.45 $ 11.16 $ 10.25 Net investment loss (a) (0.03 ) (0.03 ) (0.03 ) Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (b) (0.14 ) 1.32 0.94 Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations (0.17 ) 1.29 0.91 Net asset value per Share, end of year $ 12.28 $ 12.45 $ 11.16 Total return, at net asset value (c) (1.37 %) 11.56 % 8.88 % Ratio to average net assets: Net investment loss (0.25 %) (0.25 %) (0.25 %) Expenses 0.25 % 0.25 % 0.25 % (a) Based on average Shares outstanding during the period. (b) The amounts reported for a Share outstanding may not (c) Based on the change in net asset value of a Share during the period.

Note 9 - Investment Valuation

Note 9 - Investment Valuation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	9 U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price the Trust would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Trust’s policy is to value its investment at fair value. Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of assets and liabilities. Inputs may may three three Level 1 Level 2 1 not Level 3 At December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017, 1.

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	A. Basis of Accounting The following significant accounting policies are consistently followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain statements and captions in the financial statements for the prior periods have been changed to conform to the current financial statement presentation.
Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	B. Gold Bullion JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., London branch (the “Custodian”), is responsible for the safekeeping of gold bullion owned by the Trust. Fair value of the gold bullion held by the Trust is based on that day’s London Bullion Market Association (“LBMA”) Gold Price PM. “LBMA Gold Price PM” is the price per fine troy ounce of gold, stated in U.S. dollars, determined by the ICE Benchmark Administration (“IBA”) following an electronic auction consisting of one 30 second 3:00 no 10:30 Gain or loss on sales of gold bullion is calculated on a trade date basis using the average cost method. The following tables summarize activity in gold bullion for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 2016: December 31, 2018 Ounces Cost Fair Realized Beginning balance 7,828,465 $ 9,663,574,842 $ 10,149,604,427 $ — Gold bullion contributed 2,370,108 3,078,649,161 3,078,649,161 — Gold bullion distributed (1,167,483 ) (1,460,213,703 ) (1,483,295,672 ) 23,081,969 Gold bullion sold to pay expenses (21,549 ) (26,880,924 ) (27,290,381 ) 409,457 Net realized gain — — 23,491,426 — Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation — — (194,080,795 ) — Ending balance 9,009,541 $ 11,255,129,376 $ 11,547,078,166 $ 23,491,426 December 31, 2017 Ounces Cost Fair Realized Beginning balance 6,308,062 $ 7,706,923,343 $ 7,311,674,849 $ — Gold bullion contributed 2,194,645 2,782,113,163 2,782,113,163 — Gold bullion distributed (657,409 ) (804,830,293 ) (826,600,408 ) 21,770,115 Gold bullion sold to pay expenses (16,833 ) (20,631,371 ) (21,077,170 ) 445,799 Net realized gain — — 22,215,914 — Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation — — 881,278,079 — Ending balance 7,828,465 $ 9,663,574,842 $ 10,149,604,427 $ 22,215,914 December 31, 2016 Ounces Cost Fair Realized Beginning balance 4,905,568 $ 5,910,175,908 $ 5,210,940,144 $ — Gold bullion contributed 3,036,655 3,784,339,342 3,784,339,342 — Gold bullion distributed (1,618,237 ) (1,968,318,439 ) (1,992,755,088 ) 24,436,649 Gold bullion sold to pay expenses (15,924 ) (19,273,468 ) (19,905,623 ) 632,155 Net realized gain — — 25,068,804 — Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation — — 303,987,270 — Ending balance 6,308,062 $ 7,706,923,343 $ 7,311,674,849 $ 25,068,804
Calculation of Net Asset Value [Policy Text Block]	C. Calculati on of Net Asset Value On each business day, as soon as practicable after 4:00
Offering of the Shares [Policy Text Block]	D. Offering of the Shares Trust Shares are issued and redeemed continuously in aggregations of 50,000 may 50,000 provided may not The per Share amount of gold exchanged for a purchase or redemption represents the per Share amount of gold held by the Trust, after giving effect to its liabilities. When gold bullion is exchanged in settlement of a redemption, it is considered a sale of gold bullion for accounting purposes. Share activities for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 2016 December 31, 2018 2017 2016 Shares Amount Shares Amount Shares Amount Shares issued 247,000,000 $ 3,078,649,161 228,250,000 $ 2,782,113,163 314,850,000 $ 3,784,339,342 Shares redeemed (121,700,000 ) (1,483,295,672 ) (68,350,000 ) (826,600,408 ) (167,950,000 ) (1,992,755,088 ) Net increase 125,300,000 $ 1,595,353,489 159,900,000 $ 1,955,512,755 146,900,000 $ 1,791,584,254
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	E. Federal Income Taxes The Trust is treated as a grantor trust for federal income tax purposes and, therefore, no The Sponsor has analyzed applicable tax laws and regulations and their application to the Trust as of December 31, 2018 not

Schedules of Investments (Table

Schedules of Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Investment [Table Text Block]	Description Ounces Cost Fair Value Gold bullion 9,009,541 $ 11,255,129,376 $ 11,547,078,166 Total Investment – 100.02% 11,547,078,166 Less Liabilities – (0.02)% (2,340,020 ) Net Assets – 100.00% $ 11,544,738,146 Description Ounces Cost Fair Value Gold bullion 7,828,465 $ 9,663,574,842 $ 10,149,604,427 Total Investment – 100.02% 10,149,604,427 Less Liabilities – (0.02)% (2,097,290 ) Net Assets – 100.00% $ 10,147,507,137

Note 2 - Significant Accounti_2

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Activity in Gold Bullion [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2018 Ounces Cost Fair Realized Beginning balance 7,828,465 $ 9,663,574,842 $ 10,149,604,427 $ — Gold bullion contributed 2,370,108 3,078,649,161 3,078,649,161 — Gold bullion distributed (1,167,483 ) (1,460,213,703 ) (1,483,295,672 ) 23,081,969 Gold bullion sold to pay expenses (21,549 ) (26,880,924 ) (27,290,381 ) 409,457 Net realized gain — — 23,491,426 — Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation — — (194,080,795 ) — Ending balance 9,009,541 $ 11,255,129,376 $ 11,547,078,166 $ 23,491,426 December 31, 2017 Ounces Cost Fair Realized Beginning balance 6,308,062 $ 7,706,923,343 $ 7,311,674,849 $ — Gold bullion contributed 2,194,645 2,782,113,163 2,782,113,163 — Gold bullion distributed (657,409 ) (804,830,293 ) (826,600,408 ) 21,770,115 Gold bullion sold to pay expenses (16,833 ) (20,631,371 ) (21,077,170 ) 445,799 Net realized gain — — 22,215,914 — Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation — — 881,278,079 — Ending balance 7,828,465 $ 9,663,574,842 $ 10,149,604,427 $ 22,215,914 December 31, 2016 Ounces Cost Fair Realized Beginning balance 4,905,568 $ 5,910,175,908 $ 5,210,940,144 $ — Gold bullion contributed 3,036,655 3,784,339,342 3,784,339,342 — Gold bullion distributed (1,618,237 ) (1,968,318,439 ) (1,992,755,088 ) 24,436,649 Gold bullion sold to pay expenses (15,924 ) (19,273,468 ) (19,905,623 ) 632,155 Net realized gain — — 25,068,804 — Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation — — 303,987,270 — Ending balance 6,308,062 $ 7,706,923,343 $ 7,311,674,849 $ 25,068,804
Schedule of Capital Units [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2018 2017 2016 Shares Amount Shares Amount Shares Amount Shares issued 247,000,000 $ 3,078,649,161 228,250,000 $ 2,782,113,163 314,850,000 $ 3,784,339,342 Shares redeemed (121,700,000 ) (1,483,295,672 ) (68,350,000 ) (826,600,408 ) (167,950,000 ) (1,992,755,088 ) Net increase 125,300,000 $ 1,595,353,489 159,900,000 $ 1,955,512,755 146,900,000 $ 1,791,584,254

Note 8 - Financial Highlights (

Note 8 - Financial Highlights (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Financial Highlights [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2018 2017 2016 Net asset value per Share, beginning of year $ 12.45 $ 11.16 $ 10.25 Net investment loss (a) (0.03 ) (0.03 ) (0.03 ) Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (b) (0.14 ) 1.32 0.94 Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations (0.17 ) 1.29 0.91 Net asset value per Share, end of year $ 12.28 $ 12.45 $ 11.16 Total return, at net asset value (c) (1.37 %) 11.56 % 8.88 % Ratio to average net assets: Net investment loss (0.25 %) (0.25 %) (0.25 %) Expenses 0.25 % 0.25 % 0.25 %

Schedules of Investments - Inve

Schedules of Investments - Investments (Details)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)oz	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)oz	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)oz	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)oz
Gold bullion (Ounce) | oz	9,009,541	7,828,465	6,308,062	4,905,568
Investment in gold bullion, cost	$ 11,255,129,376	$ 9,663,574,842	$ 7,706,923,343	$ 5,910,175,908
Gold bullion fair value	11,547,078,166	10,149,604,427
Less Liabilities	(2,340,020)	(2,097,290)
Net Assets	$ 11,544,738,146	$ 10,147,507,137	$ 7,310,131,020	$ 5,209,802,846

Schedules of Investments - In_2

Schedules of Investments - Investments (Details) (Parentheticals)	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Total investment, percentage of net asset value	100.02%	100.02%
Less liabilities, percentage of net asset value	(0.02%)	(0.02%)
Net assets, percentage of net asset value	100.00%	100.00%

Note 2 - Significant Accounti_3

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual)	Dec. 31, 2018shares
Shares Prescribed Aggregation	50,000

Note 2 - Significant Accounti_4

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies - Activity in Gold Bullion (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)oz		Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)oz		Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)oz
Beginning balance (Ounce) | oz	7,828,465		6,308,062		4,905,568
Gold bullion contributed (Ounce) | oz	2,370,108		2,194,645		3,036,655
Gold bullion distributed (Ounce) | oz	(1,167,483)		(657,409)		(1,618,237)
Gold bullion sold to pay expenses (Ounce) | oz	(21,549)		(16,833)		(15,924)
Ending balance (Ounce) | oz	9,009,541		7,828,465		6,308,062
Beginning balance, average cost	$ 9,663,574,842		$ 7,706,923,343		$ 5,910,175,908
Gold bullion contributed, average cost	3,078,649,161		2,782,113,163		3,784,339,342
Gold bullion distributed, average cost	(1,460,213,703)		(804,830,293)		(1,968,318,439)
Gold bullion sold to pay expenses, average cost	(26,880,924)		(20,631,371)		(19,273,468)
Ending balance, average cost	11,255,129,376		9,663,574,842		7,706,923,343
Beginning balance, fair value	10,149,604,427	[1]	7,311,674,849		5,210,940,144
Gold bullion contributed, fair value	3,078,649,161		2,782,113,163		3,784,339,342
Gold bullion distributed, fair value	(1,483,295,672)		(826,600,408)		(1,992,755,088)
Gold bullion sold to pay expenses, fair value	(27,290,381)		(21,077,170)		(19,905,623)
Net realized gain (loss), fair value	23,491,426		22,215,914		25,068,804
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation, fair value	(194,080,795)		881,278,079		303,987,270
Ending balance, fair value	11,547,078,166	[1]	10,149,604,427	[1]	7,311,674,849
Gold bullion distributed, realized gain (loss)	23,081,969		21,770,115		24,436,649
Gold bullion sold to pay expenses, realized gain (loss)	$ 409,457		$ 445,799		$ 632,155
[1]	Cost of investment in gold bullion: $11,255,129,376 and $9,663,574,842, respectively.

Note 2 - Significant Accounti_5

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies - Share Activity (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Shares issued (in shares)	247,000,000	228,250,000	314,850,000
Shares issued, amount	$ 3,078,649,161	$ 2,782,113,163	$ 3,784,339,342
Shares redeemed (in shares)	(121,700,000)	(68,350,000)	(167,950,000)
Distributions for Shares redeemed	$ (1,483,295,672)	$ (826,600,408)	$ (1,992,755,088)
Net increase in Shares issued and outstanding (in shares)	125,300,000	159,900,000	146,900,000
Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions	$ 1,595,353,489	$ 1,955,512,755	$ 1,791,584,254

Note 3 - Trust Expenses (Detail

Note 3 - Trust Expenses (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Sponsors Fee Annualized Accrual Rate Based on Daily Net Asset Value	0.25%
Maximum [Member]
Legal Fees Per Year	$ 100,000

Note 8 - Financial Highlights -

Note 8 - Financial Highlights - Financial Highlights (Details) - $ / shares		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Net asset value per Share, beginning of year (in dollars per share)		$ 12.45	$ 11.16	$ 10.25
Net investment loss(a) (in dollars per share)	[1]	(0.03)	(0.03)	(0.03)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b) (in dollars per share)	[2]	(0.14)	1.32	0.94
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations (in dollars per share)		(0.17)	1.29	0.91
Net asset value per Share, end of year (in dollars per share)		$ 12.28	$ 12.45	$ 11.16
Total return, at net asset value(c)	[3]	(1.37%)	11.56%	8.88%
Ratio to average net assets:
Net investment loss		(0.25%)	(0.25%)	(0.25%)
Expenses		0.25%	0.25%	0.25%
[1]	Based on average Shares outstanding during the period.
[2]	The amounts reported for a Share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses on investment for the period due to the timing of Trust Share transactions in relation to the fluctuating fair values of the Trust's underlying investment.
[3]	Based on the change in net asset value of a Share during the period.