Representing two Greek words: kodrantes (Latin: quadrans , Matthew 5:26; Mark 12:42), and assarion (Latin: as, Matthew 10:29; Luke 12:6; the "two assaria" constituted probably one coin). The quadrans was originally the fourth of an as, i.e. three ounces. In Christ's time the quadrans equaled two Greek lepta , "mites." Among the Roman copper coins current then in Palestine there was none smaller than the as or assarich; among the Greek imperial coins there was the quadrans (quarter of the as) and lepton , "mite," one-eighth of an as and half of a quadrans. The as was one and three-fourths of a farthing; the quadrans thus less than half a farthing. But either the as the lowest Roman coin, or the quadrans, the lowest Greek imperial coin, is sufficiently expressed by the term "farthing," as being our lowest coin.
From the co-author of the classic Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary, Fausset's Bible Dictionary stands as one of the best single-volume Bible encyclopedias ever written for general use. The author's writing style is always clear and concise, and he tackles issues important to the average student of the Bible, not just the Biblical scholars. This makes Fausset an excellent tool for both everyday Bible study and in-depth lesson or sermon preparation.Wikipedia
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