Persian Treasury
Ruler

Coinage of Bahram Chobin (usurper)

1 catalogued issue of Bahram Chobin (usurper) — metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions with references.

In short

Bahram Chobin (590–591 CE) was the general who seized the Sasanian throne without royal descent — the only non-Sasanian to rule the empire, and the subject of a whole cycle of Persian epic. Bahram Chobin (usurper) issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 590 CE – 591 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver at Susa.

Catalogued
1
Eras
1
Metals
1
Denominations
1

Key facts

Key facts about Bahram Chobin (usurper) in the Persian Treasury catalogue
Catalogued pieces1
Date range590 CE – 591 CE
Eras representedSasanian Empire
MetalsSilver
DenominationsDrachm
MintsSusa
Reign590–591 CE
OriginMihran noble house, not the royal line
Overthrown byKhosrow II with Byzantine support
CoinageScarce; roughly one regnal year

A soldier on the throne

Bahram, from the Mihran noble house, defeated the Turks decisively and was then humiliated by Hormizd IV. He revolted, drove out Khosrow II, and reigned for about a year before Khosrow returned with Byzantine troops and destroyed him.

His usurpation is the exception that proves the Sasanian rule: legitimacy required descent from Sasan, and the whole aristocracy eventually rallied to restore it.

Coinage of a usurper

Drachms of Bahram VI are struck in the standard Sasanian format but are scarce, reflecting a reign of roughly one year, and they carry a distinctive crown.

For collectors they are among the most desirable Sasanian rarities: a physical object from a failed revolution, dated to a single regnal year.

Sasanian Empire · 224 – 651 CE

Era overview →

Bahram Chobin (Bahram VI) Drachm

Bahram Chobin (usurper)

590–591 CE

A Sasanian general from the Mihran clan who briefly seized the throne from Khosrow II — the only non-Sasanian to rule Iran between Ardashir I and the Arab conquest. Khosrow II recovered the throne with Byzantine help; Bahram Chobin's coins were struck for barely a year.

Frequently asked about Bahram Chobin (usurper)

Was Bahram Chobin a Sasanian?
No — he came from the Mihran noble family and was the only ruler of the empire without descent from Sasan, which is why his reign lasted barely a year.
Are his coins rare?
Yes. A single regnal year of output makes Bahram VI drachms among the notable rarities of Sasanian numismatics.
What coins did Bahram Chobin (usurper) issue?
Bahram Chobin (usurper) issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 590 CE – 591 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver at Susa.
How many Bahram Chobin (usurper) pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?
1 item, dated 590 CE – 591 CE, spread across 1 era: Sasanian Empire.
Which metals were used for Bahram Chobin (usurper) coinage?
Silver. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
Which denominations are associated with Bahram Chobin (usurper)?
Drachm. Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.
Where were Bahram Chobin (usurper) coins minted?
Recorded mints include Susa.

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Denominations here

Metals here