1. A method for electronically trading shares of physical gold bars over an electronic communications network (ECN), the method comprising: providing an amount of the physical gold bars to a trust, the physical gold bars provided to the trust having a value based at least on a weight thereof; receiving a number of trust shares each representing a proportional ownership interest in the physical gold bars; and using the electronic communication network (ECN) to trade one or more of the trust shares, wherein said using the ECN to trade one or more of the trust shares facilitates purchase or sale of the trust shares by an investor and provides liquidity with respect to the trading of the physical gold bars.