This thread isn't about reference books since we know there are plenty of those out there! We're looking for ancient coins that are mentioned prominently in novels. I'll get the ball rolling: Here's the book: And here is the coin: In the book, the main character is walking in a house that is possessed (couldn't bring myself to type "haunted house"). He suddenly hears a clanking sound from the bath tub. When he investigates, he finds the coin shown above, but in worse shape. Throughout the book, the coin is causing him to have terrifying visions when he handles it. At one point, he takes it to a coin show and a dealer identifies it for him. Based on the description, I figured out that the author referenced an actual coin. I haven't seen that too often!
Here's one that gets a raspberry: Unfortunately, a lot of authors don't do much research when writing about the 30 pieces of silver. I can understand if they are only mentioned in the book, but I think that an item that is essential to the plot and is constantly referred to deserved at least a basic Google search! Jim Butcher, author of The Dresden Files, made the same mistake, but he gets a waiver for the quality of his writing. I've downloaded a sample of K.T. Tomb's book and if it starts well I'll probably buy it. I wail and gnash my teeth when people confuse shekels and denarii, but I don't let that prevent me from appreciating a good book.
I feel compelled to read almost any novel that revolves around ancient coins. This one was most notable for its cover. It was downhill after that :/. The plot, which revolves around the Porus dekadrachms, was a stretch. Clearly the author just wanted to incorporate Alexander III's history into a modern thriller. Still, it was moderately enjoyable. The historical points jibed with what I've read except for one thing, and it bothered me: the dekadrachms in question were grossly undervalued in this book! More than one reference was made to the fact that these coins weren't terribly valuable (!!). Also, for purposes of this story, the author portrays the total number of Porus dekadrachms as eight. I'm okay with that modification, but the estimate of value (already low) would be wrong by an even greater factor if there really were only eight.
The Eighth Commandment by Lawrence Sanders (1986) revolves around a Syracusan dekadrachm and New York institutions such as the American Numismatic Society are visited. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/lawrence-sanders/the-eighth-commandment/
I've read the Berry books (or most I thought), havent read that one but will probably get it next week or so. Entertaining but I grow weary of the characters always being the same, never growing or evolving. BUT, I love the historical aspect of them, even if they are fantastical. I do like the Preston & Child books (you can look them up). Antiquities (but not coins) are frequently mentioned. It leads me to think one or both the authors are either art lovers or collectors (or both). There was one book many years ago, I think revolving around a coin hoard. It was featured in The Celator. Can remember much about it, I didnt buy or read it. I'll shoot Wayne Sayles an e-mail and see if he remembers what that book was.
Two detective series with Roman characters have coins on the cover and in the stories. (I "borrowed" the book reviews below.) I like detective stories and Roman history, so I like both book series. Caveat Emptor is set in Britain, where Ruso is dragged into problems galore. His wife becomes a friend and helper to a native woman whose tax collector husband disappeared with the money. Ruso finds himself appointed by the province’s assistant procurator to investigate the disappearance of the tax collector and his money. It has an interesting coin twist at the end. Marcus Didius Falco is the fictional central character and narrator in a series of historical mystery crime novels by Lindsey Davis. Using the concepts of modern detective stories, the novels portray the world of the Roman Empire under Vespasian. I give Double Daggers a + for the last owner's use of the coin. If the book is not good for you, skip to the last chapter and skim to the part where he used an EID MAR as a golf ball marker.
