TTD Gold Silver Dollars: Complete Buying Guide, Prices & Counter Locations

Published April 19, 2018 · Last updated March 28, 2026

TTD gold silver dollars carry Lord Venkateswara’s sacred image. Find current prices, all counter locations, sizes available, and the latest new buying rules here.

TTD gold silver dollars are among the most spiritually significant devotional purchases a pilgrim can carry home from Tirumala. Thousands of devotees buy these sacred medallions every week — yet many arrive at the counter without knowing the current price, the exact sizes available, or the new purchase rules TTD introduced in early 2026. This guide covers everything, from counter locations and timings to the pricing system change that temporarily shut the counter this year.

Quick Guide: TTD Gold Silver Dollars at a Glance

• What they are: Pure gold and silver medallions bearing Lord Venkateswara’s image, minted and sold directly by TTD
• Gold sizes available: 2 grams, 5 grams, 10 grams, and 20 grams
• Silver sizes available: 5 grams and 10 grams
• Counter timings: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily at Tirumala
• Prices: Revised weekly, based on the Tirupati bullion market rate (moving to daily pricing — see below)
• Who can buy: Devotees holding a valid darshan ticket (new rule, 2026)
• Purchase limit: One dollar per person
• PAN card required: For purchases exceeding ₹50,000
• Online booking: Not available — in-person purchase only

What Are TTD Gold Silver Dollars? Significance and Design

Notably, TTD gold silver dollars are not coins in the currency sense. They are devotional medallions — flat, circular precious-metal pieces minted specifically by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams for spiritual and ceremonial use. Each dollar carries a detailed embossed impression of Lord Sri Venkateswara on one side and the Tirumala temple gopuram on the other.

For generations of Telugu families, buying a TTD dollar on a Tirumala visit is as important as receiving Laddu prasadam. Devotees use them during home pujas, gift them at weddings and naming ceremonies, and keep them in prayer rooms as permanent representations of Lord Balaji’s blessings. Because TTD itself mints and sells these dollars — unlike commercially available replicas — pilgrims regard them as carrying the sanctity of the Tirumala temple.

Why Are They Called “Dollars” and Not Coins?

Interestingly, the term “dollar” for these medallions traces back to the Telugu word daalaaru, a local adaptation of the Portuguese and British-era trading coin terminology used across South India. Over decades, devotees and TTD staff alike adopted “dollar” as the colloquial name for these precious-metal medallions. The name has stuck firmly in common usage, even though these are sacred temple-issued items with no currency function whatsoever.

TTD Gold Dollar: Sizes, Purity, and What to Expect

TTD gold dollars are 22-carat gold, placing them at the same purity standard as traditional South Indian jewellery. The four sizes available at the counter are 2 grams, 5 grams, 10 grams, and 20 grams. The 5-gram and 10-gram variants sell most consistently and are usually available in reasonable stock at Tirumala. The 2-gram version, shaped to function as a pendant on a chain, frequently sells out by mid-morning on busy days.

However, TTD also sells a 20-gram gold dollar for devotees seeking a larger devotional piece or a significant gift. Stock on the 20-gram size is more limited compared to the smaller variants. TTD does not guarantee availability of any specific size on any given day — arriving early in the morning gives you the best selection.

TTD Silver Dollar: Sizes and Purity

Similarly, TTD silver dollars carry the same Lord Venkateswara design and are made from high-purity silver. The two sizes available are 5 grams and 10 grams. Silver dollars cost significantly less than gold variants, making them a practical choice for devotees who wish to purchase multiple pieces for family members or for offerings during home pujas. TTD usually maintains a larger stock of silver dollars relative to gold, so running out is less common.

Moreover, silver dollars are often a practical choice for bulk devotional purchases — such as distributing them at weddings or religious functions. However, each person faces a one-per-purchase restriction under the new 2026 rules, which changes how group purchases need to be managed at the counter.

Current Pricing: How TTD Calculates Dollar Rates

TTD prices its gold silver dollars directly against live bullion market rates, specifically the Tirupati bullion market daily rate. For most of the scheme’s history, the counter revised prices once a week — typically on Tuesday evenings or Wednesday mornings — and held those rates for the entire following seven days regardless of intra-week market movement.

As a result of this weekly-revision system, TTD absorbed financial losses whenever gold prices spiked mid-week, since the counter continued selling at the older lower price. This gap forced TTD to temporarily close the gold and silver dollar counter in Tirumala in late January 2026 while officials finalised a new daily-pricing structure. Under the proposed new system, TTD aims to revise dollar prices every day based on the Tirupati bullion market rate — eliminating the revenue loss that weekly pricing caused during periods of sharp price movement.

Indicative Price Ranges for TTD Dollars (2025–2026)

Note: These are indicative ranges based on prevailing bullion rates in 2025–2026. TTD revises actual prices periodically at the counter. Always confirm the rate at the counter on the day of your visit before purchasing. Prices may vary from these estimates.

Important New Rules TTD Introduced in 2026

TTD announced significant new purchase guidelines alongside the pricing reform decision in early 2026. Specifically, these rules aim to prevent misuse and ensure that TTD gold silver dollars reach genuine pilgrims rather than resellers or bulk buyers. Every devotee planning to buy a dollar in 2026 and beyond should be aware of three changes.

First, only devotees holding a valid Tirumala darshan ticket are now eligible to purchase gold or silver dollars at the counter. This rule ties the dollar purchase directly to an active temple visit, eliminating purchases by non-pilgrims arriving at the counter purely for commercial reasons. Second, each person can buy only one dollar per visit, regardless of weight or type. Third, for any purchase where the total amount exceeds ₹50,000, the buyer must provide their PAN card number on the bill — a standard income tax compliance requirement for high-value transactions.

Payment Methods Accepted at TTD Dollar Counters

Accordingly, the counter accepts both cash and card payments. All major debit and credit cards process at the Union Bank of India counter premises in Tirumala. UPI payments are generally accepted as well. However, bringing sufficient cash as a backup remains advisable — counter card terminals occasionally experience connectivity interruptions during peak pilgrimage periods.

Where to Buy TTD Gold Silver Dollars: All Counter Locations

TTD operates dollar sale counters at multiple cities to serve devotees who cannot travel to Tirumala. Each counter maintains the same TTD-verified dollar stock and pricing. Below are the confirmed counter locations:

Tirumala Counter

The main counter at Tirumala sits opposite the Sri Venkateswara Temple entrance, adjacent to the Laddu Prasadam counter. TTD runs this outlet from the Union Bank of India premises, and the Peshkar’s office monitors its operations directly. Counter timings are 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. This is the highest-volume counter and the only one with the full range of all four gold sizes and both silver sizes on most days.

Tirupati Counter

Furthermore, a second counter operates in Tirupati city itself — useful for devotees staying in town who prefer purchasing before heading up the ghat road. Timings and stock availability may vary from the Tirumala counter; confirm on arrival at the TTD regional office in Tirupati.

Chennai Counter

TTD maintains a Chennai sales counter for devotees in Tamil Nadu. The Chennai outlet serves the large Telugu-speaking pilgrim population based in the city and surrounding areas. Contact the TTD Chennai regional office for current timings and stock status before visiting.

Mumbai Counter

Similarly, TTD’s Mumbai counter operates from Jainth House, 67 Sion West, behind Vitobha Temple, Sion Circle, Mumbai – 400 022. This counter caters to the substantial number of Venkateswara devotees residing in Maharashtra and serves as the nearest option for devotees who cannot make the Tirumala journey. Call the TTD Mumbai office to confirm availability before visiting, as stock rotations differ from the Tirumala counter.

Tips for Buying TTD Gold Silver Dollars Without Problems

First, carry your Tirumala darshan confirmation printout or mobile ticket to the counter — the new rule requires a valid darshan ticket for purchase eligibility. Without it, counter staff will decline the sale regardless of how long you have waited in line. This is the single most common reason devotees leave the counter empty-handed under the updated system.

Second, arrive at the Tirumala counter before 10:00 AM on weekdays. The 2-gram gold pendant and 10-gram gold dollar sell out earliest on high-footfall days — typically weekends, Ekadasi, and major festival dates like Ugadi, Brahmotsavam, and Vaikunta Ekadasi. Midweek mornings see the most reliable stock across all sizes.

Third, if the counter is closed or out of stock on a specific day, visit the official TTD website at ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in for counter status updates. TTD typically posts notices about temporary closures and pricing revisions on the official portal. Checking the site before your visit prevents wasted trips, especially if you are travelling specifically for a dollar purchase.

Fourth, keep a PAN card handy if you plan to buy a 10-gram gold dollar or any size at current gold prices — it is very easy to cross the ₹50,000 threshold on a 10-gram piece. The counter cannot process the transaction without PAN documentation above this limit. This is a standard IT Department requirement, not a TTD-specific restriction.

Are TTD Gold Dollars a Good Investment Beyond Their Devotional Value?

Most devotees buy TTD gold silver dollars purely for spiritual reasons — and that should remain the primary purpose. However, from a practical standpoint, 22-carat gold holds real bullion value that tracks the market. A 10-gram TTD gold dollar purchased in 2020, when gold was approximately ₹5,000–5,500 per gram, would have roughly doubled in value by 2025 given India’s domestic gold price trajectory.

Naturally, TTD does not encourage or position dollar sales as an investment product — the scheme funds temple construction and dharmic activities under the TTD trust framework. Nevertheless, the combination of sacred significance and genuine gold content makes these dollars one of the few temple prasadam categories that also hold intrinsic economic value over time. A silver dollar, by contrast, has more modest bullion value but remains a deeply meaningful devotional offering at a price most devotees can afford.

The Bottom Line

Overall, TTD gold silver dollars represent one of the most enduring devotional traditions at Tirumala — a tangible way for pilgrims to carry Lord Venkateswara’s blessing home. The 2026 rule changes — daily pricing, darshan-ticket eligibility, and single-purchase limits — make the purchase process more fair and more transparent for genuine devotees. Plan your visit on a weekday morning, carry your darshan ticket and PAN card, confirm prices at the counter, and pick the size that fits your purpose. The dollar you carry home from Tirumala will hold its value — both spiritual and material — for a lifetime.

Frequently Asked Questions: TTD Gold Silver Dollars

Can I buy TTD gold silver dollars online without visiting Tirumala?

No — TTD does not offer online booking or delivery for gold or silver dollars. Purchase is only possible in person at authorised counters in Tirumala, Tirupati, Chennai, and Mumbai. TTD requires the buyer to be physically present because coins are issued only against valid ID proof and, under the new 2026 rule, a valid Tirumala darshan ticket.

What sizes of TTD gold dollars are available at the counter?

TTD gold dollars are available in four sizes: 2 grams, 5 grams, 10 grams, and 20 grams. Silver dollars come in two sizes: 5 grams and 10 grams. The 2-gram gold dollar — shaped to function as a pendant — and the 10-gram gold dollar are the most popular and tend to sell out early on busy days. Always arrive before 10:00 AM for the best selection.

How are TTD dollar prices calculated, and when do they change?

TTD calculates dollar prices based on the Tirupati bullion market rate. Historically, prices were revised once a week — typically on Tuesday evenings or Wednesday mornings. However, TTD announced a move to daily pricing in early 2026 to align more closely with real-time market rates and prevent financial losses from intra-week gold price spikes. Always confirm the current price at the counter before purchasing, as rates can shift.

Do I need a PAN card to buy a TTD gold dollar?

A PAN card is mandatory only if your total purchase amount exceeds ₹50,000 — a standard Income Tax Department requirement for high-value transactions. For a 10-gram gold dollar at current prices, you are very likely to cross this threshold. Carry your PAN card to every Tirumala visit to avoid a declined transaction at the counter.

Can I buy TTD gold silver dollars as a gift for family who did not visit Tirumala?

Under the new 2026 purchase rules, each buyer must hold a valid Tirumala darshan ticket and is limited to one dollar per person. Devotees who wish to gift dollars to family members who did not visit must purchase within their personal one-dollar limit per darshan. Previously, multiple purchases per person were possible — the new restriction makes it important to plan your quantity in advance if gifting is the goal.

Is the 20-gram TTD gold dollar regularly available at the counter?

The 20-gram gold dollar is available at the Tirumala counter but in much smaller stock compared to the 5-gram and 10-gram variants. TTD does not guarantee availability on any given day. Devotees specifically seeking the 20-gram size should arrive early on a weekday, check stock availability through the official TTD portal before travelling, and consider that the counter stock differs between Tirumala and the outstation centres in Chennai and Mumbai.