abrdn Silver ETF Trust (SIVR) 10-K 2 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 26, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	ETFS SILVER TRUST
Entity Central Index Key	1450922
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		18,300,000
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$393,120,000
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No

Statements_of_Assets_and_Liabi

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
ASSETS
Investment in silver (cost: December 31, 2014: $359,027; December 31, 2013: $346,436)	$293,873,000	[1],[2]	$346,436,000	[1],[3]
Total assets	293,873,000	[2]	346,436,000	[3]
LIABILITIES
Fees payable to Sponsor	75,911		88,391
Total liabilities	76,000	[2]	88,000	[3]
NET ASSETS	293,797,000	[2]	346,348,000	[3]
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
Total net assets	$293,797,000	[2],[4],[5]	$346,348,000	[3],[4]
[1]	At December 31, 2014, the investment in silver is valued at fair value. At December 31, 2013 the investment in silver was valued at the lower of cost or market value. Refer to note 2.1 for a breakdown of cost and fair value of the investment in silver.
[2]	Effective January 1, 2014, the Trust has adopted the provisions of Topic 946, Investment Companies, and follows specialized accounting. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.
[3]	Derived from audited Statement of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2013. The amounts are those previously reported under non-investment company accounting. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.
[4]	Authorized share capital is unlimited and no par value per share. Shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 were 18,700,000 and at December 31, 2013 were 18,000,000. Net asset value per Share at December 31, 2014 was $15.71 and at December 31, 2013 was $19.24.
[5]	In accordance with Topic 946, Investment Companies, the Trust meets the exemption criteria to exclude a statement of cash flows. Thus one has not been presented for the year ended December 31, 2014. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.

Statements_of_Assets_and_Liabi1

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Common stock, shares authorized	unlimited		unlimited
Investment in silver at cost	$359,027		$346,436
Net asset value per share	$15.71	[1]	$19.24	[1]
Common stock, shares issued	18,700,000		18,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	18,700,000		18,000,000
Silver [Member]
Investment in silver at cost	$359,027		$346,436
[1]	Effective January 1, 2014, the Trust has adopted the provisions of Topic 946, Investment Companies, and follows specialized accounting. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.

Schedule_of_Investments

Schedule of Investments (oz, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investment in Silver (oz)	18,401,534.50		17,765,948.80
Cost	$359,027		$346,436
Fair Value	293,873		346,436
% of Net Assets	100.03%	[1]	100.03%	[2]
Silver [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investment in Silver (oz)	18,401,534.50		17,765,948.80
Cost	359,027		346,436
Fair Value	$293,873		$346,436
% of Net Assets	100.03%	[1]	100.03%	[2]
[1]	Calculated as investment in silver at fair value divided by net assets, as at December 31, 2014, investment in silver is recorded at fair value. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.
[2]	Calculated as investment in silver at cost divided by net assets, as at December 31, 2013, investment in silver was recorded at the lower of cost or market value. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.

Statements_of_Operations

Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
EXPENSES
Sponsor's Fee	$1,584,000	[1]	$1,962,000	[2]	$2,562,000	[2]
Less: Waiver of Sponsor's Fee (Note 2.8)	-527,978		-654,129		-853,978
Total expenses	1,056,000	[1]	1,308,000	[2]	1,708,000	[2]
Net investment loss	-1,056,000	[1],[3]	-1,308,000	[2]	-1,708,000	[2]
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS / (LOSSES)
Realized (loss) / gain on silver transferred to pay expenses	-11,000	[1]	-163,000	[2]	196,000	[2]
Realized (loss) / gain on silver distributed for the redemption of Shares	-1,584,000	[1]	-8,241,000	[2]	5,448,000	[2]
Change in unrealized loss on investment in silver	-65,154,000	[1],[3]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Realized loss on silver	0	[1]	-144,644,000	[2]	0	[2]
Total (loss) / gain on silver	-66,749,000	[1]	-153,048,000	[2]	5,644,000	[2]
Change in net assets from operations	($67,805,000)	[1]	($154,356,000)	[1],[2],[3]	$3,936,000	[1],[2],[3]
Net (decrease) / increase in net assets per Share	($3.62)	[1]	($8.36)	[2]	$0.21	[2]
Weighted average number of Shares (in Shares)	18,748,219	[1]	18,464,658	[2]	18,425,410	[2]
[1]	Effective January 1, 2014, the Trust has adopted the provisions of Topic 946, Investment Companies, and follows specialized accounting. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.
[2]	Amounts are those previously reported under non-investment company accounting.B B Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.
[3]	In accordance with Topic 946, Investment Companies, the Trust meets the exemption criteria to exclude a statement of cash flows. Thus one has not been presented for the year ended December 31, 2014. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.

Statements_of_Cash_Flows

Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
INCREASE IN CASH FROM OPERATIONS:
Cash proceeds received from transfer of silver			$0	[1]	$0	[1]
Cash expenses paid			0	[1]	0	[1]
Increase in cash resulting from operations			0	[1]	0	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year			0	[1]	0	[1]
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Value of silver received for creation of Shares	27,119		24,087	[1]	54,303	[1]
Value of silver distributed for redemption of Shares - at cost			41,085	[1]	67,753	[1]
RECONCILIATION OF CHANGE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS TO NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Change in net assets from operations	-67,805	[2]	-154,356	[1],[2],[3]	3,936	[1],[2],[3]
Adjustments to reconcile change in net assets from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Decrease in investment in silver			163,165	[1]	14,962	[1]
Decrease in silver receivable			0	[1]	-8,392	[1]
Decrease in fees payable to Sponsor			-52	[1]	0	[1]
Increase / (decrease) in redeemable Shares:
Creations			24,087	[1]	54,303	[1]
Redemptions			-32,844	[1]	-64,809	[1]
Net cash provided by operating activities			0	[1]	0	[1]
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH ACTIVITIES:
Value of silver transferred to pay expenses			$1,360	[1]	$1,708	[1]
[1]	In accordance with Topic 946, Investment Companies, the Trust meets the exemption criteria to exclude a statement of cash flows. Thus one has not been presented for the year ended December 31, 2014. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.
[2]	Effective January 1, 2014, the Trust has adopted the provisions of Topic 946, Investment Companies, and follows specialized accounting. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.
[3]	Amounts are those previously reported under non-investment company accounting.B B Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.

Statement_of_Changes_in_Net_As

Statement of Changes in Net Assets (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Opening balance at January 1, 2014 (in Shares)	18,000,000	[1]
Creations (in Shares)	1,400,000	[1]	900,000
Redemptions (in Shares)	-700,000	[1]	-1,500,000
Closing balance at December 31, 2014 (in Shares)	18,700,000	[1]	18,000,000	[1]
Opening balance at January 1, 2014	$346,348	[2],[3]
Net investment loss	-1,056	[1],[4]	-1,308	[5]
Realized loss on investment in silver	-1,595	[1]
Change in unrealized loss on investment in silver	-65,154	[1],[4]	0	[5]
Creations	27,119	[1]	24,087
Redemptions	-11,865	[1]	-32,844
Closing balance at December 31, 2014	293,797	[1],[2],[4]	346,348	[2],[3]
Adjustments for Change to Fair Value [Member]
Closing balance at December 31, 2014	$0	[1]
[1]	In accordance with Topic 946, Investment Companies, the Trust meets the exemption criteria to exclude a statement of cash flows. Thus one has not been presented for the year ended December 31, 2014. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.
[2]	Authorized share capital is unlimited and no par value per share. Shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 were 18,700,000 and at December 31, 2013 were 18,000,000. Net asset value per Share at December 31, 2014 was $15.71 and at December 31, 2013 was $19.24.
[3]	Derived from audited Statement of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2013. The amounts are those previously reported under non-investment company accounting. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.
[4]	Effective January 1, 2014, the Trust has adopted the provisions of Topic 946, Investment Companies, and follows specialized accounting. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.
[5]	Amounts are those previously reported under non-investment company accounting.B B Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.

Statement_of_Changes_in_Shareh

Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Deficit (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Changes in Net Assets [Abstract]
Shareholdersb deficit - opening balance	$0	[1]	($41,879)	[1]	($18,274)	[1]
Net gain / (loss) for the year	-67,805	[1]	-154,356	[1],[2],[3]	3,936	[1],[2],[3]
Adjustment of redeembable Shares to redemption value			196,235	[1]	-27,541	[1]
Shareholdersb deficit - closing balance			$0	[1]	($41,879)	[1]
[1]	Effective January 1, 2014, the Trust has adopted the provisions of Topic 946, Investment Companies, and follows specialized accounting. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.
[2]	Amounts are those previously reported under non-investment company accounting.B B Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.
[3]	In accordance with Topic 946, Investment Companies, the Trust meets the exemption criteria to exclude a statement of cash flows. Thus one has not been presented for the year ended December 31, 2014. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.

Financial_Highlights

Financial Highlights (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Per Share Performance (for a Share outstanding throughout the entire period)
Net asset value per Share at beginning of year	$19.24	[1]
Income from investment operations:
Net investment loss	($0.06)	[1]
Total realized loss and change in unrealized loss on investment in silver	($3.47)	[1]
Change in net assets from operations	($3.53)	[1]
Net asset value per Share at end of year	$15.71	[1]
Weighted average number of Shares	18,748,219	[1]
Expense Ratio
Sponsor's Fee per Share	0.30%	[1]
Net Investment Loss Ratio
Net investment loss ratio	-0.30%	[1]
Total Return	-18.35%	[1]
[1]	Effective January 1, 2014, the Trust has adopted the provisions of Topic 946, Investment Companies, and follows specialized accounting. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.

Organization

Organization	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization [Abstract]
Organization	1. Organization
	The ETFS Silver Trust (the “Trust”) is an investment trust formed on July 20, 2009 under New York law pursuant to a depositary trust agreement (the “Trust Agreement”) executed by ETF Securities USA LLC (the “Sponsor”) and the Bank of New York Mellon (the “Trustee”) at the time of the Trust’s organization. The Trust holds silver bullion and issues ETFS Physical Silver Shares (the “Shares”) (in minimum blocks of 100,000 Shares, also referred to as “Baskets”) in exchange for deposits of silver and distributes silver in connection with redemption of Baskets. Shares represent units of fractional undivided beneficial interest in and ownership of the Trust which are issued by the Trust. The Sponsor is a Delaware limited liability company that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ETF Securities Limited, a Jersey, Channel Islands based company. The Trust is governed by the Trust Agreement.
	The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the performance of the price of silver, less the Trust’s expenses and liabilities. The Trust is designed to provide an individual owner of beneficial interests in the Shares (a “Shareholder”) an opportunity to participate in the silver market through an investment in securities.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies
	2. Significant Accounting Policies
	The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires those responsible for preparing financial statements to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Trust.
	2.1. Basis of Accounting
	Since the Trust’s inception, the Sponsor determined that the Trust was not an investment company within the scope of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Codification of Accounting Standards, Topic 946, Financial Services—Investment Companies (“Topic 946”).  Consequently, the Trust did not prepare its financial statements applying standards applicable to investment companies in accordance with Topic 946, including recording its investment in silver at “fair value” as defined in Topic 946.  Instead, the Trust recorded its investment in silver at the lower of cost or fair value in accordance with ASC 330, Inventory and ASC 270, Interim Reporting.
	Following the release of FASB Accounting Standards Update ASU 2013-08, Financial Services—Investments Companies (Topic 946): Amendments to the Scope, Measurement and Disclosure Requirements, the Sponsor has re-evaluated whether the Trust falls within scope and has concluded that for reporting purposes, the Trust is classified as an investment company effective January 1, 2014.  The Trust is not registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and is not required to register under such act.
	As a result of the change in the evaluation of investment company status, the Trust must, from January 1, 2014, present its investment in silver at “fair value” as defined in Topic 946.
	The adoption of Topic 946 accounting changed the presentation of the Trust’s financial statements prospectively from January 1, 2014 (the date of the adoption), the most significant aspects of which are as follows:
	‘
		1	Presentation of prior year information has been conformed to the current year accounting standards in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Operations.  A Statement of Changes in Net Assets is required and has been presented for the year ended December 31, 2014.
		2	A Schedule of Investments is required as of December 31, 2014.  The Schedule has also been included as of December 31, 2013, for comparative presentation.
		3	Financial Highlights are required for year ended December 31, 2014.
		4	As the Trust meets the exemption criteria under Topic 946, a cash flow statement is not required for the year ended December 31, 2014.  Since the adoption of the new accounting principle is prospective, the prior years’ statements of cash flows are still presented.
		5	Required disclosures under Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements, have been included in the footnotes to the financial statements as of December 31, 2014.  December 31, 2013 disclosures have also been included for comparative purposes.
	The quantitative effect of the adoption of investment company accounting is presented below:
			Value at				Gain / (loss)
			31-Dec-13		Value at		as a result of
			at lower of cost		1-Jan-14		change in
	(Amounts in 000's of US$)		or market value		at fair value		accounting principle
	Investment in silver		$	346,436	$	346,436	$	-
	2.2. Valuation of Silver
	The Trust follows the provisions of ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures ("ASC 820"). ASC 820 provides guidance for determining fair value and requires disclosure regarding the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
	Silver is held by HSBC Bank Plc (the “Custodian”), on behalf of the Trust at its London, England vaulting premises. Silver is recorded at fair value. Effective from August 15, 2014, CME Group, Inc. has been conducting an electronic, over-the-counter silver bullion auction in London, England to establish a fixing price for an ounce of silver once each trading day, which is disseminated by Thomson Reuters (the “London Silver Price”).  As of the date of filing, the London Silver Price is established by the five LBMA-authorized bullion banks and market makers participating in the auction.  The “London Metal Price” for silver held by the Trust is the London Silver Price. Prior to August 15, 2014, the Trust utilized the “London Fix” as its benchmark for valuation purposes. The London Fix for silver, which London Silver Market Fixing Ltd. discontinued on August 14, 2014, was the price of an ounce of silver as set by three market making members of the LBMA at approximately 12:00 noon, London time, on each London business day and was widely accepted among silver market participants.
	Realized gains and losses on transfers of silver, or silver distributed for the redemption of Shares, are calculated on a trade date basis using cost.
	Once the value of silver has been determined, the Net Asset Value (the “NAV") is computed by the Trustee by deducting all accrued fees and other liabilities of the Trust, including the remuneration due to the Sponsor (the “Sponsor’s Fee”), from the fair value of the silver and all other assets held by the Trust.
	The table below summarizes the unrealized gains or realized losses on the Trust’s silver holdings as of December 31, 2014 and 2014:
	(Amounts in 000's of US$)		31-Dec-14		31-Dec-13
	Investment in silver - cost		$	359,027	$	346,436
	Unrealized loss on investment in silver			-65,154		-
	Investment in silver - fair value		$	293,873	$	346,436
	Effective January 1, 2014, the Trust records its investment in silver at fair value and recognizes changes in fair value of the investment in silver as change in unrealized gain / loss on investment in silver in the Statement of Operations.
	Prior to 2014, the Trust recognized the movements in value of the investment in silver arising from market declines on an interim basis. Increases in the value of the investment in silver through market price recoveries in later interim periods of the same fiscal year were recognized in the later interim period. Increases in value recognized on an interim basis were not permitted to exceed the previously recognized diminution in value. Unrealized losses at December 31, 2013 were crystallized as realized losses, and the average cost of silver was written down to market value.
	The per Share amount of silver exchanged for a purchase or redemption is calculated daily by the Trustee, using the London silver fix to calculate the silver amount in respect of any liabilities for which covering silver sales have not yet been made, and represents the per-Share amount of silver held by the Trust, after giving effect to its liabilities, to cover expenses and liabilities and any losses that may have occurred.
	2.2. Valuation of Silver (continued)
	Fair Value Hierarchy
	Inputs
	Generally accepted accounting principles establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The three levels of inputs are as follows:
	–	Level 1.	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the company has the ability to access.
	–	Level 2.	Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments and similar data.
	–	Level 3.	Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability to the extent that relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and that would be based on the best information available.
	To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in level 3.
	The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
	The investment in silver is classified as a level 2 asset, as the Trust’s investment in silver is calculated using third party pricing sources supported by observable, verifiable inputs.
	The categorization of the Trust’s assets is as shown below:
	(Amounts in 000's of US$)		31-Dec-14		31-Dec-13
	Level 2
	Investment in silver		$	293,873	$	346,436
	There were no re-allocations or transfers between levels during the period.
	2.3. Silver Receivable and Payable
	Silver receivable or payable represents the quantity of silver covered by contractually binding orders for the creation or redemption of Shares respectively, where the silver has not yet been transferred to or from the Trust’s account. Generally, ownership of the silver is transferred within three days of trade date. There was no silver receivable or payable at December 31, 2014 and 2013.
	2.4. Creations and Redemptions of Shares
	The Trust expects to create and redeem Shares from time to time, but only in one or more Baskets (a Basket equals a block of 100,000 Shares). The Trust issues Shares in Baskets to Authorized Participants on an ongoing basis. Individual investors cannot purchase or redeem Shares in direct transactions with the Trust. An Authorized Participant is a person who (1) is a registered broker-dealer or other securities market participant such as a bank or other financial institution which is not required to register as a broker-dealer to engage in securities transactions, (2) is a participant in The Depository Trust Company, (3) has entered into an Authorized Participant Agreement with the Trustee and the Sponsor and (4) has established an Authorized Participant Unallocated Account with the Custodian or another silver bullion clearing bank to effect transactions in silver bullion. An Authorized Participant Agreement is an agreement entered into by each Authorized Participant, the Sponsor and the Trustee which provides the procedures for the creation and redemption of Baskets and for the delivery of the silver required for such creations and redemptions. An Authorized Participant Unallocated Account is an unallocated silver account established with the Custodian by an Authorized Participant.
	The creation and redemption of Baskets is only made in exchange for the delivery to the Trust or the distribution by the Trust of the amount of silver represented by the Baskets being created or redeemed, the amount of which is based on the combined NAV of the number of Shares included in the Baskets being created or redeemed determined on the day the order to create or redeem Baskets is properly received.
	Authorized Participants may, on any business day, place an order with the Trustee to create or redeem one or more Baskets. The typical settlement period for Shares is three business days. In the event of a trade date at period end, where a settlement is pending, a respective account receivable and/or payable will be recorded. When silver is exchanged in settlement of redemption, it is considered a sale of silver for financial statement purposes.
	The amount of bullion represented by the Baskets created or redeemed can only be settled to the nearest 1/1000th of an ounce. As a result, the value attributed to the creation or redemption of Shares may differ from the value of bullion to be delivered or distributed by the Trust. In order to ensure that the correct metal is available at all times to back the Shares, the Sponsor accepts an adjustment to its management fees in the event of any shortfall or excess. For each transaction, this amount is not more than 1/1000th of an ounce.
	As the Shares of the Trust are subject to redemption at the option of Authorized Participants, the Trust has classified the outstanding Shares as Redeemable Capital Shares as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and as Net Assets as of December 31, 2014. The Trust records the redemption value, which represents the maximum obligation (based on NAV per Share) with the difference from historical cost recorded as an offsetting amount to Shareholders’ Equity.
	Changes in the Shares for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are set out below:
			Year		Year
			Ended		Ended
	(Amounts in 000's of US$, except for Share and per Share data)		31-Dec-13		31-Dec-12
	Number of Redeemable Shares
	Opening balance			18,600,000		19,100,000
	Creations			900,000		1,700,000
	Redemptions			-1,500,000		-2,200,000
Closing balance			18,000,000		18,600,000
Redeemable Shares
Opening balance		$	551,340	$	534,305
Creations			24,087		54,303
Redemptions			-32,844		-64,809
Adjustment to redemption value			-196,235		27,541
Closing balance		$	346,348	$	551,340
Redemption value per Share at period end		$	19.24	$	29.64
2.5.  Realized Gains / Losses
Revenue consists of realized gains / losses resulting from the transfer of silver for Share redemptions and / or to pay expenses.  Realized gains / losses are recognized on a trade date basis.
The primary expense of the Trust is the Sponsor’s Fee, which is paid by the Trust through in-kind transfers of silver to the Sponsor. With respect to expenses not otherwise assumed by the Sponsor, the Trustee will, at the direction of the Sponsor or in its own discretion, sell the Trust’s silver as necessary to pay these expenses. When selling silver to pay expenses, the Trustee will endeavor to sell the smallest amounts of silver needed to pay these expenses in order to minimize the Trust’s holdings of assets other than silver.
Unless otherwise directed by the Sponsor, when selling silver the Trustee will endeavor to sell at the price established by the London Silver Price. The Trustee will place orders with dealers (which may include the Custodian) through which the Trustee expects to receive the most favorable price and execution of orders. The Custodian may be the purchaser of such silver only if the sale transaction is made at the next London Silver Price, or such other publicly available price that the Sponsor deems fair, in each case as set following the sale order. A gain or loss is recognized based on the difference between the selling price and the cost of the silver sold. Neither the Trustee nor the Sponsor is liable for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of any sale.
2.6. Income Taxes
The Trust is classified as a “grantor trust” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, the Trust itself will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. Instead, the Trust’s income and expenses will “flow through” to the Shareholders, and the Trustee will report the Trust’s proceeds, income, deductions, gains, and losses to the Internal Revenue Service on that basis.
The Trust has adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740-10, Income Taxes. The Sponsor has evaluated the application of ASC 740-10 to the Trust, to determine whether or not there are uncertain tax positions in its major jurisdictions that require financial statement recognition. Based on this evaluation, the Sponsor has determined no reserves for uncertain tax positions are required to be recorded as a result of the application of ASC 740. As a result, no income tax liability or expense has been recorded in the accompanying financial statements.
2.7 Investment in Silver
Changes in ounces of silver and the respective values for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are set out below:
		Year		Year		Year
		Ended		Ended		Ended
(Amounts in 000's of US$, except for ounces data)		31-Dec-14		31-Dec-13		31-Dec-12
Ounces of silver
Opening balance			17,765,948.8		18,413,374.2		19,263,211.3
Creations			1,379,900.5		890,077.9		1,684,899.6
Redemptions			-689,042.60		-1,482,521.10		-2,479,571.60
Transfers of silver to pay expenses			-55,272.20		-54,982.20		-55,165.10
Closing balance			18,401,534.5		17,765,948.8		18,413,374.2
Investment in silver
Opening balance		$	346,436	$	509,601	$	524,563
Creations			27,119		24,087		54,303
Redemptions			-11,865		-32,844		-73,201
Realized (loss) / gain on silver distributed for the redemption of Shares			-1,584		-8,241		5,448
Transfers of silver to pay expenses			-1,068		-1,360		-1,708
Realized (loss) / gain on silver transferred to pay expenses			-11		-163		196
Unrealized loss on investment in silver			-65,154		-		-
Realized loss on investment in silver			-		-144,644		-
Closing balance		$	293,873	$	346,436	$	509,601
2.8. Expenses
The Trust will transfer silver to the Sponsor to pay the Sponsor’s Fee that will accrue daily at an annualized rate equal to 0.45% of the adjusted daily NAV of the Trust, paid monthly in arrears. Presently, the Sponsor is continuing to waive a portion of its fee and reduce the Sponsor’s Fee to 0.30% (which it has done since the Date of Inception).
The Sponsor has agreed to assume administrative and marketing expenses incurred by the Trust, including the Trustee’s monthly fee and out-of-pocket expenses, the Custodian’s fee and the reimbursement of the Custodian’s expenses, exchange listing fees, United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) registration fees, printing and mailing costs, audit fees and certain legal expenses.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Sponsor’s Fee, net of waiver, was $1,055,956  (December 31, 2013: $1,308,257; December 31, 2012: $1,707,955).
As a result of the waiver, fees waived for the year ending December 31, 2014 were $527,978  (December 31, 2013: $654,129; December 31, 2012: $853,978).
At December 31, 2014, $75,911 was payable to the Sponsor (December 31, 2013: $88,391).
2.9. Subsequent Events
In accordance with the provisions set forth in FASB ASC 855-10, Subsequent Events, the Trust’s management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events existing in the Trust’s financial statements through the issuance date. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require adjustment to or disclosure in the Trust’s financial statements through this date.

Related_Parties

Related Parties	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Parties [Abstract]
Related Parties	3. Related Parties
	The Sponsor and the Trustee are considered to be related parties to the Trust. The Trustee’s and Custodian’s fees are paid by the Sponsor and are not separate expenses of the Trust. The Trustee and the Custodian and their affiliates may from time to time act as Authorized Participants or purchase or sell silver or Shares for their own account, as agent for their customers and for accounts over which they exercise investment discretion.

Concentration_Of_Risk

Concentration Of Risk	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Concentration Of Risk [Abstract]
Concentration Of Risk	4. Concentration of Risk
	The Trust’s sole business activity is the investment in silver, and substantially all the Trust’s assets are holdings of silver which creates a concentration risk associated with fluctuations in the price of silver. Several factors could affect the price of silver, including: (i) global silver supply and demand, which is influenced by factors such as forward selling by silver producers, purchases made by silver producers to unwind silver hedge positions, central bank purchases and sales, and production and cost levels in major silver-producing countries; (ii) investors’ expectations with respect to the rate of inflation; (iii) currency exchange rates; (iv) interest rates; (v) investment and trading activities of hedge funds and commodity funds; and (vi) global or regional political, economic or financial events and situations. In addition, there is no assurance that silver will maintain its long-term value in terms of purchasing power in the future. In the event that the price of silver declines, the Sponsor expects the value of an investment in the Shares to decline proportionately. Each of these events could have a material effect on the Trust’s financial position and results of operations.

Indemnification

Indemnification	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Indemnification [Abstract]
Indemnification	5. Indemnification
	Under the Trust’s organizational documents, each of the Trustee (and its directors, employees and agents) and the Sponsor (and its members, managers, directors, officers, employees, and affiliates) is indemnified by the Trust against any liability, cost or expense it incurs without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on its part and without reckless disregard on its part of its obligations and duties under the Trust’s organizational documents.
	The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis Of Accounting	2.1. Basis of Accounting
	Since the Trust’s inception, the Sponsor determined that the Trust was not an investment company within the scope of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Codification of Accounting Standards, Topic 946, Financial Services—Investment Companies (“Topic 946”).  Consequently, the Trust did not prepare its financial statements applying standards applicable to investment companies in accordance with Topic 946, including recording its investment in silver at “fair value” as defined in Topic 946.  Instead, the Trust recorded its investment in silver at the lower of cost or fair value in accordance with ASC 330, Inventory and ASC 270, Interim Reporting.
	Following the release of FASB Accounting Standards Update ASU 2013-08, Financial Services—Investments Companies (Topic 946): Amendments to the Scope, Measurement and Disclosure Requirements, the Sponsor has re-evaluated whether the Trust falls within scope and has concluded that for reporting purposes, the Trust is classified as an investment company effective January 1, 2014.  The Trust is not registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and is not required to register under such act.
	As a result of the change in the evaluation of investment company status, the Trust must, from January 1, 2014, present its investment in silver at “fair value” as defined in Topic 946.
	The adoption of Topic 946 accounting changed the presentation of the Trust’s financial statements prospectively from January 1, 2014 (the date of the adoption), the most significant aspects of which are as follows:
	‘
		1	Presentation of prior year information has been conformed to the current year accounting standards in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Operations.  A Statement of Changes in Net Assets is required and has been presented for the year ended December 31, 2014.
		2	A Schedule of Investments is required as of December 31, 2014.  The Schedule has also been included as of December 31, 2013, for comparative presentation.
		3	Financial Highlights are required for year ended December 31, 2014.
		4	As the Trust meets the exemption criteria under Topic 946, a cash flow statement is not required for the year ended December 31, 2014.  Since the adoption of the new accounting principle is prospective, the prior years’ statements of cash flows are still presented.
		5	Required disclosures under Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements, have been included in the footnotes to the financial statements as of December 31, 2014.  December 31, 2013 disclosures have also been included for comparative purposes.
	The quantitative effect of the adoption of investment company accounting is presented below:
			Value at				Gain / (loss)
			31-Dec-13		Value at		as a result of
			at lower of cost		1-Jan-14		change in
	(Amounts in 000's of US$)		or market value		at fair value		accounting principle
	Investment in silver		$	346,436	$	346,436	$	-
Valuation Of Silver	2.2. Valuation of Silver
	The Trust follows the provisions of ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures ("ASC 820"). ASC 820 provides guidance for determining fair value and requires disclosure regarding the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
	Silver is held by HSBC Bank Plc (the “Custodian”), on behalf of the Trust at its London, England vaulting premises. Silver is recorded at fair value. Effective from August 15, 2014, CME Group, Inc. has been conducting an electronic, over-the-counter silver bullion auction in London, England to establish a fixing price for an ounce of silver once each trading day, which is disseminated by Thomson Reuters (the “London Silver Price”).  As of the date of filing, the London Silver Price is established by the five LBMA-authorized bullion banks and market makers participating in the auction.  The “London Metal Price” for silver held by the Trust is the London Silver Price. Prior to August 15, 2014, the Trust utilized the “London Fix” as its benchmark for valuation purposes. The London Fix for silver, which London Silver Market Fixing Ltd. discontinued on August 14, 2014, was the price of an ounce of silver as set by three market making members of the LBMA at approximately 12:00 noon, London time, on each London business day and was widely accepted among silver market participants.
	Realized gains and losses on transfers of silver, or silver distributed for the redemption of Shares, are calculated on a trade date basis using cost.
	Once the value of silver has been determined, the Net Asset Value (the “NAV") is computed by the Trustee by deducting all accrued fees and other liabilities of the Trust, including the remuneration due to the Sponsor (the “Sponsor’s Fee”), from the fair value of the silver and all other assets held by the Trust.
	The table below summarizes the unrealized gains or realized losses on the Trust’s silver holdings as of December 31, 2014 and 2014:
	(Amounts in 000's of US$)		31-Dec-14		31-Dec-13
	Investment in silver - cost		$	359,027	$	346,436
	Unrealized loss on investment in silver			-65,154		-
	Investment in silver - fair value		$	293,873	$	346,436
	Effective January 1, 2014, the Trust records its investment in silver at fair value and recognizes changes in fair value of the investment in silver as change in unrealized gain / loss on investment in silver in the Statement of Operations.
	Prior to 2014, the Trust recognized the movements in value of the investment in silver arising from market declines on an interim basis. Increases in the value of the investment in silver through market price recoveries in later interim periods of the same fiscal year were recognized in the later interim period. Increases in value recognized on an interim basis were not permitted to exceed the previously recognized diminution in value. Unrealized losses at December 31, 2013 were crystallized as realized losses, and the average cost of silver was written down to market value.
	The per Share amount of silver exchanged for a purchase or redemption is calculated daily by the Trustee, using the London silver fix to calculate the silver amount in respect of any liabilities for which covering silver sales have not yet been made, and represents the per-Share amount of silver held by the Trust, after giving effect to its liabilities, to cover expenses and liabilities and any losses that may have occurred.
	2.2. Valuation of Silver (continued)
	Fair Value Hierarchy
	Inputs
	Generally accepted accounting principles establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The three levels of inputs are as follows:
	–	Level 1.	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the company has the ability to access.
	–	Level 2.	Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments and similar data.
	–	Level 3.	Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability to the extent that relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and that would be based on the best information available.
	To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in level 3.
	The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
	The investment in silver is classified as a level 2 asset, as the Trust’s investment in silver is calculated using third party pricing sources supported by observable, verifiable inputs.
	The categorization of the Trust’s assets is as shown below:
	(Amounts in 000's of US$)		31-Dec-14		31-Dec-13
	Level 2
	Investment in silver		$	293,873	$	346,436
	There were no re-allocations or transfers between levels during the period.
Silver Receivable And Payable	2.3. Silver Receivable and Payable
	Silver receivable or payable represents the quantity of silver covered by contractually binding orders for the creation or redemption of Shares respectively, where the silver has not yet been transferred to or from the Trust’s account. Generally, ownership of the silver is transferred within three days of trade date. There was no silver receivable or payable at December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Creations And Redemptions Of Shares	2.4. Creations and Redemptions of Shares
	The Trust expects to create and redeem Shares from time to time, but only in one or more Baskets (a Basket equals a block of 100,000 Shares). The Trust issues Shares in Baskets to Authorized Participants on an ongoing basis. Individual investors cannot purchase or redeem Shares in direct transactions with the Trust. An Authorized Participant is a person who (1) is a registered broker-dealer or other securities market participant such as a bank or other financial institution which is not required to register as a broker-dealer to engage in securities transactions, (2) is a participant in The Depository Trust Company, (3) has entered into an Authorized Participant Agreement with the Trustee and the Sponsor and (4) has established an Authorized Participant Unallocated Account with the Custodian or another silver bullion clearing bank to effect transactions in silver bullion. An Authorized Participant Agreement is an agreement entered into by each Authorized Participant, the Sponsor and the Trustee which provides the procedures for the creation and redemption of Baskets and for the delivery of the silver required for such creations and redemptions. An Authorized Participant Unallocated Account is an unallocated silver account established with the Custodian by an Authorized Participant.
	The creation and redemption of Baskets is only made in exchange for the delivery to the Trust or the distribution by the Trust of the amount of silver represented by the Baskets being created or redeemed, the amount of which is based on the combined NAV of the number of Shares included in the Baskets being created or redeemed determined on the day the order to create or redeem Baskets is properly received.
	Authorized Participants may, on any business day, place an order with the Trustee to create or redeem one or more Baskets. The typical settlement period for Shares is three business days. In the event of a trade date at period end, where a settlement is pending, a respective account receivable and/or payable will be recorded. When silver is exchanged in settlement of redemption, it is considered a sale of silver for financial statement purposes.
	The amount of bullion represented by the Baskets created or redeemed can only be settled to the nearest 1/1000th of an ounce. As a result, the value attributed to the creation or redemption of Shares may differ from the value of bullion to be delivered or distributed by the Trust. In order to ensure that the correct metal is available at all times to back the Shares, the Sponsor accepts an adjustment to its management fees in the event of any shortfall or excess. For each transaction, this amount is not more than 1/1000th of an ounce.
	As the Shares of the Trust are subject to redemption at the option of Authorized Participants, the Trust has classified the outstanding Shares as Redeemable Capital Shares as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and as Net Assets as of December 31, 2014. The Trust records the redemption value, which represents the maximum obligation (based on NAV per Share) with the difference from historical cost recorded as an offsetting amount to Shareholders’ Equity.
	Changes in the Shares for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are set out below:
			Year		Year
			Ended		Ended
	(Amounts in 000's of US$, except for Share and per Share data)		31-Dec-13		31-Dec-12
	Number of Redeemable Shares
	Opening balance			18,600,000		19,100,000
	Creations			900,000		1,700,000
	Redemptions			-1,500,000		-2,200,000
	Closing balance			18,000,000		18,600,000
	Redeemable Shares
	Opening balance		$	551,340	$	534,305
	Creations			24,087		54,303
	Redemptions			-32,844		-64,809
	Adjustment to redemption value			-196,235		27,541
	Closing balance		$	346,348	$	551,340
	Redemption value per Share at period end		$	19.24	$	29.64
Realized Gains / Losses	2.5.  Realized Gains / Losses
	Revenue consists of realized gains / losses resulting from the transfer of silver for Share redemptions and / or to pay expenses.  Realized gains / losses are recognized on a trade date basis.
	The primary expense of the Trust is the Sponsor’s Fee, which is paid by the Trust through in-kind transfers of silver to the Sponsor. With respect to expenses not otherwise assumed by the Sponsor, the Trustee will, at the direction of the Sponsor or in its own discretion, sell the Trust’s silver as necessary to pay these expenses. When selling silver to pay expenses, the Trustee will endeavor to sell the smallest amounts of silver needed to pay these expenses in order to minimize the Trust’s holdings of assets other than silver.
	Unless otherwise directed by the Sponsor, when selling silver the Trustee will endeavor to sell at the price established by the London Silver Price. The Trustee will place orders with dealers (which may include the Custodian) through which the Trustee expects to receive the most favorable price and execution of orders. The Custodian may be the purchaser of such silver only if the sale transaction is made at the next London Silver Price, or such other publicly available price that the Sponsor deems fair, in each case as set following the sale order. A gain or loss is recognized based on the difference between the selling price and the cost of the silver sold. Neither the Trustee nor the Sponsor is liable for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of any sale.
Income Taxes	2.6. Income Taxes
	The Trust is classified as a “grantor trust” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, the Trust itself will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. Instead, the Trust’s income and expenses will “flow through” to the Shareholders, and the Trustee will report the Trust’s proceeds, income, deductions, gains, and losses to the Internal Revenue Service on that basis.
	The Trust has adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740-10, Income Taxes. The Sponsor has evaluated the application of ASC 740-10 to the Trust, to determine whether or not there are uncertain tax positions in its major jurisdictions that require financial statement recognition. Based on this evaluation, the Sponsor has determined no reserves for uncertain tax positions are required to be recorded as a result of the application of ASC 740. As a result, no income tax liability or expense has been recorded in the accompanying financial statements.
Investment In Silver	2.7 Investment in Silver
	Changes in ounces of silver and the respective values for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are set out below:
			Year		Year		Year
			Ended		Ended		Ended
	(Amounts in 000's of US$, except for ounces data)		31-Dec-14		31-Dec-13		31-Dec-12
	Ounces of silver
	Opening balance			17,765,948.8		18,413,374.2		19,263,211.3
	Creations			1,379,900.5		890,077.9		1,684,899.6
	Redemptions			-689,042.60		-1,482,521.10		-2,479,571.60
	Transfers of silver to pay expenses			-55,272.20		-54,982.20		-55,165.10
	Closing balance			18,401,534.5		17,765,948.8		18,413,374.2
	Investment in silver
	Opening balance		$	346,436	$	509,601	$	524,563
	Creations			27,119		24,087		54,303
	Redemptions			-11,865		-32,844		-73,201
	Realized (loss) / gain on silver distributed for the redemption of Shares			-1,584		-8,241		5,448
	Transfers of silver to pay expenses			-1,068		-1,360		-1,708
	Realized (loss) / gain on silver transferred to pay expenses			-11		-163		196
	Unrealized loss on investment in silver			-65,154		-		-
	Realized loss on investment in silver			-		-144,644		-
	Closing balance		$	293,873	$	346,436	$	509,601
Expenses
	2.8. Expenses
	The Trust will transfer silver to the Sponsor to pay the Sponsor’s Fee that will accrue daily at an annualized rate equal to 0.45% of the adjusted daily NAV of the Trust, paid monthly in arrears. Presently, the Sponsor is continuing to waive a portion of its fee and reduce the Sponsor’s Fee to 0.30% (which it has done since the Date of Inception).
	The Sponsor has agreed to assume administrative and marketing expenses incurred by the Trust, including the Trustee’s monthly fee and out-of-pocket expenses, the Custodian’s fee and the reimbursement of the Custodian’s expenses, exchange listing fees, United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) registration fees, printing and mailing costs, audit fees and certain legal expenses.
	For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Sponsor’s Fee, net of waiver, was $1,055,956  (December 31, 2013: $1,308,257; December 31, 2012: $1,707,955).
	As a result of the waiver, fees waived for the year ending December 31, 2014 were $527,978  (December 31, 2013: $654,129; December 31, 2012: $853,978).
	At December 31, 2014, $75,911 was payable to the Sponsor (December 31, 2013: $88,391).
Subsequent Events	2.9. Subsequent Events
	In accordance with the provisions set forth in FASB ASC 855-10, Subsequent Events, the Trust’s management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events existing in the Trust’s financial statements through the issuance date. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require adjustment to or disclosure in the Trust’s financial statements through this date.

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Quantitative Effect Of Adoption Of Investment Company Accounting
		Value at				Gain / (loss)
		31-Dec-13		Value at		as a result of
		at lower of cost		1-Jan-14		change in
	(Amounts in 000's of US$)	or market value		at fair value		accounting principle
	Investment in silver	$	346,436	$	346,436	$	-
Schedule Of Unrealized Gains Or Losses On The Trust's Silver Holdings
	(Amounts in 000's of US$)	31-Dec-14		31-Dec-13
	Investment in silver - cost	$	359,027	$	346,436
	Unrealized loss on investment in silver		-65,154		-
	Investment in silver - fair value	$	293,873	$	346,436
Categorization Of The Trust's Assets
	(Amounts in 000's of US$)	31-Dec-14		31-Dec-13
	Level 2
	Investment in silver	$	293,873	$	346,436
	There were no re-allocations or transfers between levels during the period.
Schedule Of Redeemable Capital Shares
		Year		Year
		Ended		Ended
	(Amounts in 000's of US$, except for Share and per Share data)	31-Dec-13		31-Dec-12
	Number of Redeemable Shares
	Opening balance		18,600,000		19,100,000
	Creations		900,000		1,700,000
	Redemptions		-1,500,000		-2,200,000
	Closing balance		18,000,000		18,600,000
	Redeemable Shares
	Opening balance	$	551,340	$	534,305
	Creations		24,087		54,303
	Redemptions		-32,844		-64,809
	Adjustment to redemption value		-196,235		27,541
	Closing balance	$	346,348	$	551,340
	Redemption value per Share at period end	$	19.24	$	29.64
Schedule Of Investment In Silver
		Year		Year		Year
		Ended		Ended		Ended
	(Amounts in 000's of US$, except for ounces data)	31-Dec-14		31-Dec-13		31-Dec-12
	Ounces of silver
	Opening balance		17,765,948.8		18,413,374.2		19,263,211.3
	Creations		1,379,900.5		890,077.9		1,684,899.6
	Redemptions		-689,042.60		-1,482,521.10		-2,479,571.60
	Transfers of silver to pay expenses		-55,272.20		-54,982.20		-55,165.10
	Closing balance		18,401,534.5		17,765,948.8		18,413,374.2
	Investment in silver
	Opening balance	$	346,436	$	509,601	$	524,563
	Creations		27,119		24,087		54,303
	Redemptions		-11,865		-32,844		-73,201
	Realized (loss) / gain on silver distributed for the redemption of Shares		-1,584		-8,241		5,448
	Transfers of silver to pay expenses		-1,068		-1,360		-1,708
	Realized (loss) / gain on silver transferred to pay expenses		-11		-163		196
	Unrealized loss on investment in silver		-65,154		-		-
	Realized loss on investment in silver		-		-144,644		-
	Closing balance	$	293,873	$	346,436	$	509,601

Organization_Details

Organization (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization [Abstract]
Minimum block of shares issued redeemed against silver	100,000

Significant_Accounting_Policie3

Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Annualized rate of Sponsors Fee before waiver	0.45%
Annualized rate of Sponsors Fee	0.30%	[1]
Sponsor's Fees	$1,055,956		$1,308,257	$1,707,955
Sponsor fees waived	527,978		654,129	853,978
Fees payable to Sponsor	$75,911		$88,391
[1]	Effective January 1, 2014, the Trust has adopted the provisions of Topic 946, Investment Companies, and follows specialized accounting. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.

Significant_Accounting_Policie4

Significant Accounting Policies (Quantitative Effect Of Adoption Of Investment Company Accounting) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 01, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014		Jan. 01, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Value at December 31, 2013 at lower of cost or market value					$346,436
Value at January 1, 2014 at fair value		293,873	[1],[2]	346,436	346,436	[1],[3]	509,601	524,563
Gain / (loss) as a result of change in accounting treatment	$0
[1]	At December 31, 2014, the investment in silver is valued at fair value. At December 31, 2013 the investment in silver was valued at the lower of cost or market value. Refer to note 2.1 for a breakdown of cost and fair value of the investment in silver.
[2]	Effective January 1, 2014, the Trust has adopted the provisions of Topic 946, Investment Companies, and follows specialized accounting. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.
[3]	Derived from audited Statement of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2013. The amounts are those previously reported under non-investment company accounting. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.

Significant_Accounting_Policie5

Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Unrealized Gains Or Losses On The Trust's Silver Holdings) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014		Jan. 01, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Investment in silver at cost	$359,027			$346,436
Unrealized loss on investment in silver	-65,154
Investment in silver - fair value	$293,873	[1],[2]	$346,436	$346,436	[1],[3]	$509,601	$524,563
[1]	At December 31, 2014, the investment in silver is valued at fair value. At December 31, 2013 the investment in silver was valued at the lower of cost or market value. Refer to note 2.1 for a breakdown of cost and fair value of the investment in silver.
[2]	Effective January 1, 2014, the Trust has adopted the provisions of Topic 946, Investment Companies, and follows specialized accounting. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.
[3]	Derived from audited Statement of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2013. The amounts are those previously reported under non-investment company accounting. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.

Significant_Accounting_Policie6

Significant Accounting Policies (Categorization Of The Trust's Assets) (Details) (Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investment in silver	$293,873	$346,436

Significant_Accounting_Policie7

Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Redeemable Capital Shares) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Opening balance (in Shares)	18,000,000		18,600,000		19,100,000
Creations (in Shares)	1,400,000	[1]	900,000		1,700,000
Redemptions (in Shares)	-700,000	[1]	-1,500,000		-2,200,000
Closing balance (in Shares)	18,700,000		18,000,000		18,600,000
Opening balance	$346,348		$551,340		$534,305
Creations	27,119	[1]	24,087		54,303
Redemptions	-11,865	[1]	-32,844		-64,809
Adjustment to redemption value			-196,235	[2]	27,541	[2]
Closing balance			$346,348		$551,340
Redemption value per Share at period end (in Dollars per share)			$19.24		$29.64
[1]	In accordance with Topic 946, Investment Companies, the Trust meets the exemption criteria to exclude a statement of cash flows. Thus one has not been presented for the year ended December 31, 2014. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.
[2]	Effective January 1, 2014, the Trust has adopted the provisions of Topic 946, Investment Companies, and follows specialized accounting. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.

Significant_Accounting_Policie8

Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Investment In Silver) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
	oz		oz		oz
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Opening balance (in Ounces)	17,765,948.80		18,413,374.20		19,263,211.30
Creations (in Ounces)	1,379,900.50		890,077.90		1,684,899.60
Redemptions (in Ounces)	-689,042.60		-1,482,521.10		-2,479,571.60
Transfers of silver to pay expenses (in Ounces)	-55,272.20		-54,982.20		-55,165.10
Closing balance (in Ounces)	18,401,534.50		17,765,948.80		18,413,374.20
Opening balance	$346,436	[1],[2]	$509,601		$524,563
Creations	27,119		24,087	[3]	54,303	[3]
Redemptions	-11,865		-32,844		-73,201
Realized (loss) / gain on silver distributed for the redemption of Shares	-1,584	[4]	-8,241	[5]	5,448	[5]
Transfers of silver to pay expenses	-1,068		-1,360		-1,708
Realized (loss) / gain on silver transferred to pay expenses	-11	[4]	-163	[5]	196	[5]
Unrealized loss on investment in silver	-65,154	[3],[4]	0	[5]	0	[5]
Realized loss on investment in silver	0	[4]	-144,644	[5]	0	[5]
Closing balance	$293,873	[1],[4]	$346,436	[1],[2]	$509,601
[1]	At December 31, 2014, the investment in silver is valued at fair value. At December 31, 2013 the investment in silver was valued at the lower of cost or market value. Refer to note 2.1 for a breakdown of cost and fair value of the investment in silver.
[2]	Derived from audited Statement of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2013. The amounts are those previously reported under non-investment company accounting. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.
[3]	In accordance with Topic 946, Investment Companies, the Trust meets the exemption criteria to exclude a statement of cash flows. Thus one has not been presented for the year ended December 31, 2014. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.
[4]	Effective January 1, 2014, the Trust has adopted the provisions of Topic 946, Investment Companies, and follows specialized accounting. Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.
[5]	Amounts are those previously reported under non-investment company accounting.B B Refer to Note 2.1 for additional information.