Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
Two Roman bronze coins
One (Matt. 5:26; Mark 12:42), worth of a cent; the other (Matt. 10:29; Luke 12:6), worth 14 cents.
Concise Bible Dictionary:
See WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words:
Transliteration:
assarion
Meaning:
of Latin origin; an assarius or as, a Roman coin
From Manners and Customs of the Bible:
Mark 12:42. She threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
See also Luke 21:2.
1. The λεπτόν, or “mite,” was the smallest Greek copper coin. Its value was the eighth part of an assarion; thus making it worth about one fifth of one cent, or three eighths of one farthing. See note on Matthew 10:29 (#658). It is also mentioned in Luke 12:59.
2. The κοδρύντης, or “farthing,” was the smallest Roman brass coin, and was worth the fourth part of an assarion, and equal to two lepta, or mites; that is, about two fifths of one cent, or three fourths of one farthing. It is also mentioned in Matthew 5:26.