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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 OsSU1wXSedgH0qnq+4rHUJuo6TEZNZ/4W2earDMW94jlbY7ljZPBPNADfS0xawyB
 yuqHVxf38bIHEUGp3hhbVg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000941413-04-000001.txt : 20040524
<SEC-HEADER>0000941413-04-000001.hdr.sgml : 20040524
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040524190007
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000941413-04-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040524
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040524

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DEMPSEY STANLEY
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000941413

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13357
		FILM NUMBER:		04828265

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1660 WYNKOOP ST
		STREET 2:		STE 1000
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80202-1132

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1660 WYNKOOP ST
		STREET 2:		STE 1000
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80202-1132

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ROYAL GOLD INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000085535
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MINERAL ROYALTY TRADERS [6795]
		IRS NUMBER:				840835164
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1660 WYNKOOP STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1000
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80202-1132
		BUSINESS PHONE:		303-573-1660

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1660 WYNKOOP STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1000
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80202-1132

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ROYAL GOLD INC /DE/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ROYAL RESOURCES CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19870517

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ROYAL RESOURCES EXPLORATION INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19810716
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-24</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000085535</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ROYAL GOLD INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RGLD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000941413</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DEMPSEY STANLEY</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1660 WYNKOOP ST</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 1000</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DENVER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80202-1132</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chairman &amp; CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (right to buy - ISO)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>12.55</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>12.55</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-05-20</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-05-20</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common stock, $.01 par value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Stanley Dempsey</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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