Ancient Resource: Recommended Books

After years of ancient coin and artifact collecting, and producing a series of ancient history documentaries for the History Channel,
I have compiled a list of "must-have" books... perfect for interested beginners, advanced collectors, and history buffs alike!
Here you can find the best prices on these books, read reviews, and purchase direct from Amazon.com!

Ancient Resource is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Links to Amazon are affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these links. However, I carefully select any books or products I advertise here and genuinely believe they are of interest to my valued customers and add to their experience collecting these ancient treasures.

Ancient Rings: An Illustrated Collector's Guide This is by far the most useful and comprehensive scholastic reference for ancient finger rings that I have ever found. Most of the ring types I offer here are discussed in this book. My copy is dog-eared and bookmarked like crazy but you can order your own nice and clean copy here!	The Templars: The Rise and Spectacular Fall of God's Holy Warriors This is literally my favorite book. I read it cover to cover and then started again from the beginning. It is really a very thorough account of the Crusades in general from the beginning to end, with a ton of fascinating information about the Knights Templar and the role they played. I can't recommend this book highly enough!	Shabtis: A Private View This book is outstanding. I own 2 copies, one at home and one at the office. Every page is gorgeous and all the major shabti types are discussed, as well as examples from the notable tombs and Pharaohs of Egypt that have been recovered. It is more of a coffee table book than a reference but it is just one of my favorites.
The Symbolic World of Egyptian Amulets A beautiful book. Illustrates nicely the various types of amulets used in ancient Egypt, their meanings, and symbolism. High-quality photography, great museum pieces.	Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia A beautiful look at the many lost cultures of ancient Persia, the rise and fall of the world's greatest and largest ancient empires.	Teotihuacan: Art from the City of the Gods This is the definitive reference on antiquities from Teotihuacan. Many of the artifacts I offer here have parallels referenced in this valuable resource.
Guide to Biblical Coins Written by a good friend and true scholar David Hendin, this is hands-down the most important and helpful reference on ancient coins from the Holy Land. I refer to my copy pretty much every day, and use this book's reference numbers in most of my coin descriptions.	The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt Definitely a great resource for understanding the massive pantheon of Gods and Goddesses of Egypt, and all their symbolism.	Gifts of the Nile: Ancient Egyptian Faience This book is a masterpiece, vividly illustrated with gorgeous photography. It explains what exactly faience is, and all of its applications in ancient Egypt, used for everything from the tiniest beads to monumental temple adornments. It is more of a coffee table book than a reference but it is one that I personally cherish.
The Cambridge History of Greek and Roman Warfare (Volume 1) A beautiful, in-depth look at the armor, weapons, and tactics of ancient Greece. A reference book for specialists and beginners alike.	Amulets of Ancient Egypt A great reference book for understanding the various types of amulets revered by ancient Egyptians, from peasants to royalty. I do not know why this photo is so tiny.	Whitman Coins Coin Storage Box These are must-have accessories for any coin collector. I use dozens upon dozens of them. The coins I sell come in small clear collector flips and these boxes are made to store them. They are fabulous.
Collectors Hold Museum Putty Museums do use this. So does pretty much any collector concerned about stability of artifacts while on display. Perfect for any piece that does not stand with stability, or even for securing down stands that hold other artifacts. Here in earthquake country this is a necessity. If you have kids or dogs this is pretty much a necessity too.	Complete set of Andre's pencils, fantastic cleaning pencils for coins and relics These are amazing for carefully revealing long lost detail buried beneath centuries or millennia of crunk and encrustation.	Otis Technology 3 Nylon/3 Bronze/ 3 Blue Nylon 9 Pack AP Brushes I use these all the time. The different materials and sofnesses are crucial to use on different metals in different states of preservation. I am happy to give you tips on the best uses and methods, just ask.
Roman Coins and Their Values This is the go-to reference for ancient Roman coins. It's a single book so not every coin type by every Emperor is in here but I've yet to find much missing. It's the first Roman coin reference I ever bought--25 years ago--and it still fits the bill. Excellent In-depth attribution of coins and emperors from Augustus through to the end. Written by my friend David Sear.	Roman Coins and Their Values, Vol. 1: The Republic and the Twelve Caesars 280 BC-AD 96 Or... if you are serious about diving in with extreme depth these 5 volumes basically cover it all. They take up a combined 8 inches of shelf space but the wealth of information contained within is enormous. Very detailed background on each of the emperors as well.	Roman Coins and Their Values, Vol II: The Accession of Nerva to the Overthrow of the Severan Dynasty AD 96 - AD 235
Roman Coins and Their Values Volume 3	Roman Coins and Their Values Volume 4	Roman Coins and Their Values Volume 5
Greek Coins and Their Values Volume 1: Europe Written by my friend David Sear, this is one of 2 must-have references on ancient Greek coins. Honestly if you have to pick one of the 2 I'd go with this one. Most of the locations covered are those familiar to the majority of us. A fascinating read.	Greek Coins and Their Values: Volume 2: Asia and Africa Written by my friend David Sear, this is the other of 2 must-have references on ancient Greek coins. This contains coins from the Greek colonies in North Africa and the Near East.	That's it for now, folks. If anyone wants to recommend a book I will check it out and if I feel it would be a valuable resource for my patrons I just might share it here as well.
Port Royal: The Sunken City	European Arrowheads and Crossbow Bolts: From the Bronze Age to the Late Middle Ages

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Guide to Biblical Coins

Written by a good friend and true scholar David Hendin, this is hands-down the most important and helpful reference on ancient coins from the Holy Land. I refer to my copy pretty much every day, and use this book's reference numbers in most of my coin descriptions.

The Symbolic World of Egyptian Amulets
A beautiful book. Illustrates nicely the various types of amulets used in ancient Egypt, their meanings, and symbolism. High-quality photography, great museum pieces.

Greek & Roman Warfare: Hellinistic Greece to the Rise of Rome
A beautiful, in-depth look at the armor, weapons, and tactics of ancient Greece. A good reference book for specialists and beginners alike.

Roman Silver Coins
A fantastic and thorough look at silver coins during the dawn of Rome. From the early days as a Republic through the Age of Augustus.

The Complete Gods & Goddesses
of Ancient Egypt
Definitely a great resource for understanding the massive pantheon of Gods and Goddesses of Egypt, and all their symbolism. I use this all the time!

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The Forgotten Empire:
The World of Ancient Persia
A beautiful look at the many lost cultures of ancient Persia, the rise and fall of the world's greatest and largest ancient empires.

Amulets of Ancient Egypt

Roman Coins & Their Values: Volume II
I use this book all the time. In-depth attribution of coins and emperors from Nerva through Severus Alexander (96 AD-235 AD).

Roman Coins & Their Values: Volume III
I use this book all the time too. Moving forward in history, this covers Maximinus through Carinus (235-285 AD). Excellent.

Ancient Coin Collecting
My first book on ancient coins... got me hooked! A great resource for beginners and collectors alike! Highly recommended.

A History of Rome
An overview of Roman life, history, art and culture from Augustus through Constantine the Great.

Myths of the Greeks and Romans
A great overview of the various gods and goddesses of Greece and Rome, tracing their origins in fact and history, and religious myth.

History of Greece & the Hellenistic World
Art and architecture, laws and leadership from the time of Homer through the conquests of Alexander the Great and Rome's rise to power.

Cuneiform Texts and the Writing of History
Cuneiform -- the earliest form of writing-- explained. A great resource for beginners and experts alike.

Ancient Jewelry
You see all the ancient jewelry I offer on this site? This gorgeous book will help you make sense of it all!

Byzantium
A nice look at the Byzantine Empire and all its rich art, culture, iconography and history