in antiquity, denotes a small copper coin, being a part or diminutive of the as. The word assarius is used by Suidas indifferently with assarion and assaria to denote a small piece of money; in which he is followed by Cujacius, who defines assarius by Minimus assis nummus. We find mention of the assarion in the gospel of St Matthew, chap. x. verse 29.