Persian Treasury
Ruler

Coinage of Bahram II

1 catalogued issue of Bahram II — metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions with references.

In short

Bahram II (274–293 CE) is the only Sasanian king whose coinage regularly shows a family group — king, queen and heir together on the obverse, unique in the four-century drachm series. Bahram II issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 276 CE – 293 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver.

Catalogued
1
Eras
1
Metals
1
Denominations
1

Key facts

Key facts about Bahram II in the Persian Treasury catalogue
Catalogued pieces1
Date range276 CE – 293 CE
Eras representedSasanian Empire
MetalsSilver
DenominationsDrachm
Reign274–293 CE
Unique featureFamily-group obverse portraits
Religious contextKartir and Zoroastrian consolidation
CrownWinged crown with korymbos

A dynastic portrait

Most Sasanian obverses carry the king alone. Bahram II's multi-bust issues, showing him with his queen and a prince, present the dynasty as a family rather than a single sovereign, and no later king repeated the idea.

His reign also saw the priest Kartir's rise, whose inscriptions record the consolidation of Zoroastrian orthodoxy and the persecution of Manichaeans.

Crowns and identification

Bahram II's winged crown with korymbos is distinctive, and the multi-bust types are unmistakable even to a beginner — one of the easiest Sasanian attributions in the series.

Silver is reasonably available, and the family types command a premium over his single-bust issues.

Sasanian Empire · 224 – 651 CE

Era overview →

Bahram II Drachm

Bahram II

276–293 CE

Bahram II's coins are exceptional in Sasanian numismatics for showing the royal family together — a propaganda response to the religious challenge of Manichaeism, brutally suppressed under his predecessor Bahram I.

Frequently asked about Bahram II

Which Sasanian coin shows more than one person?
Bahram II's, which uniquely depicts the king with his queen and heir on the obverse — a type no other Sasanian ruler used.
Are Bahram II drachms rare?
Ordinary single-bust issues are obtainable; the family-group types are more sought after and priced accordingly.
What coins did Bahram II issue?
Bahram II issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 276 CE – 293 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver.
How many Bahram II pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?
1 item, dated 276 CE – 293 CE, spread across 1 era: Sasanian Empire.
Which metals were used for Bahram II coinage?
Silver. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
Which denominations are associated with Bahram II?
Drachm. Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.

Explore related hubs

Denominations here

Metals here