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 ασπεριον instead of ασ. Now ασπεριον, as some say, was worth half an ασ, that is to say, four French deniers and ⅛th; and, according to others, two deniers and ⅛ths. Dipondius seems rather to signify half an ασ.

Dr Arbuthnot differs in opinion from the author last quoted. He says, that this coin was at first libra lis, or of a pound weight; and even when diminished, it retained the name of libella. So that dipondius denotes two ases.