DIPONDIUS, in the scripture language, is used by St Luke to signify a certain coin which was of very little value. Our translation of the passage is, "Are not two sparrows sold for two farthings?" In St Matthew, who relates the same thing, we read, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?" The Greek reads assarion instead of ar. Now assarion, as some say, was worth half an ar, that is to say, four French deniers and ¼; and, according to others, two deniers and ¼ths. Dipondius seems rather to signify half an ar. Calmet, Diction. Bibl. Luke xii. 6. Matt. x. 29.
Dr Arbuthnot differs in opinion from the author last quoted. He says, that this coin was at first libralis, or of a pound weight; and even when diminished, it retained the name of libella. So that dipondius denotes two asses.