Exhibit 10.1

FIRST AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

This Amendment is made as of February 10, 2012

BY AND BETWEEN

 

1) JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., London Branch, a company incorporated with limited
liability as a National Banking Association, whose principal London office is at
125 London Wall, London EC2Y 5AJ (“we” or “us”); and

 

2) The Bank of New York Mellon, a banking corporation organized under the laws
of the State of New York, whose principal place of business is at 101 Barclay
Street, New York, New York 10286, United States of America, in its capacity as
trustee of the iShares Gold Trust (“Trust”) (in such capacity “you”)

INTRODUCTION

We have entered into the First Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated
September 2, 2010 (the “Custodian Agreement”) with you, pursuant to which we
have agreed to open and maintain for you the Account (as defined in the
Custodian Agreement) and to provide other services to you as provided therein.

We have agreed with you to further amend the Custodian Agreement as hereinafter
provided.

IT IS AGREED AS FOLLOWS

 

1. INTERPRETATION

 

  1.1 Definitions: In this Amendment capitalized terms not otherwise defined
herein have the meaning ascribed to them in the Custodian Agreement.

 

  1.2 Headings: The headings in this Amendment do not affect its interpretation.

 

  1.3 Singular and plural: Reference to the singular include the plural and vice
versa.

 

2. AMENDMENT

 

  2.1 Amendment to Clause 12.1. The first sentence of clause 12.1 of the
Custodian Agreement is hereby amended by:

 

  (i) deleting the words “Either party may terminate this Agreement by giving
not less than 60 Business Days written notice to the other party,” and

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  (ii) substituting the following language in lieu thereof: “Either party may
terminate this Agreement as of a date on or after January 1, 2015, by giving not
less than 180 Business Days written notice to the other party,”.

 

3. GENERAL

 

  3.1 Custodian Agreement in force and effect: Except as modified herein, the
Custodian Agreement will continue in full force and effect pursuant to the
provisions thereof.

 

  3.2 Assignment: This Amendment is for the benefit of and binding upon you and
us and your and our respective successors and assigns. You may not assign,
transfer or encumber, or purport to assign, transfer or encumber, your right,
title or interest in relation to any right or obligation under this Amendment or
any part of any of the foregoing unless we otherwise agree in writing.

 

  3.3 Partial invalidity: If any of the clauses (or part of a clause) of this
Amendment becomes invalid or unenforceable in any way under the Rules or any
law, the validity of the remaining clauses (or part of a clause) will not in any
way be affected or impaired.

 

  3.4 Entire agreement: This document represents the entire agreement, and
supersedes any previous agreements between you and us relating to the subject
matter of this Amendment.

 

  3.5 Counterparts: This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts
each of which when executed and delivered is an original, but all the
counterparts together constitute the same agreement.

 

  3.6 Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999: Other than the Sponsor, a
person who is not a party to this Amendment shall have no rights under the
Contracts (Rights of Third Parties Act) 1999.

 

  3.7 Legal opinion: We will furnish to you an opinion of counsel acceptable to
you addressed to you and dated the date hereof to the effect that:

 

  (a) Our execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment have been duly
authorized by us and do not and will not violate any applicable law or
regulation and do not require the consent of any governmental or other
regulatory body; and

 

  (b) This Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by us and constitutes
our legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its
terms subject to principles of equity.

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4. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

 

  4.1 Governing law: This Amendment is governed by, and will be construed in
accordance with, English law.

 

  4.2 Jurisdiction: The English courts have non-exclusive jurisdiction to settle
any disputes or claims which may arise out of or in connection with this
Amendment and, for these purposes you irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of
the English courts.

 

  4.3 Waiver of immunity: To the extent that you may in any jurisdiction claim
for yourself of your assets any immunity from suit, judgment, enforcement or
otherwise howsoever, you agree not to claim and irrevocably waive any such
immunity to which you would otherwise be entitled (whether on grounds or
sovereignty or otherwise) to the full extent permitted by the laws of such
jurisdiction.

EXECUTED by the parties

Signed on behalf of

JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A., London Branch

 

By

 

Signature

 

/s/ A.C. Lovell

Name:

  Andrew Lovell

Title:

  Vice President

Signed on behalf of

The Bank of New York Mellon,

solely in its capacity as trustee of the iShares Gold Trust,

and not in its individual capacity

 

By

 

Signature

 

/s/ Christopher Healy

Name:

  Christopher Healy

Title:

  Managing Director