In modern Greece, lepton (modern form: lepto, λεπτό) is the name of the 1⁄ 100 denomination of all the official currencies of the Greek state: the phoenix (1827–1832), the drachma (1832–2001) and the euro (2002–current) – the name is the Greek form of " cent". In the Hasmonean Kingdom the lepton was first minted under Alexander Jannaeus prior to 76 BCE. The coin in the lesson of the widow's mite ( Mark 12:41–44, Luke 21:1–4) is referred to as a lepton and Luke's Gospel also refers to the lepton or mite when stating that a person who does not make peace with his adversary in good time will be required to pay 'to the very last mite' before being released from prison. The word means "small" or "thin", and during Classical and Hellenistic times a lepton was always a small value coin, usually the smallest available denomination of another currency. The lepton, plural lepta ( Greek: λεπτόν, λεπτά), is the name of various fractional units of currency used in the Greek-speaking world from antiquity until today. The translators decided to change the name of the coin from the incomprehensible "lepton" to the more familiar "mite" for the convenience of readers.Reverse of a Greek 5 lepta coin (termed " obolos") of 1869. The denomination as mijt (in English - "mite") was well known in the Southern Netherlands (Brabant and Flanders). However, there was a mite (the smallest coin too) at the time of the creation of the King James Bible and at the time of the earliest modern English translation of the New Testament. In Bible times the smallest coin was called a lepton there was no coin called by the English term "mite" at that time. The term "mite" actually meant the lepton coin in the mentioned context. In particular, we are talking about the so-called "Lesson of the widow's mite". By the way, the lepton is one of the few coins mentioned in the Bible. As a rule, the smallest coins of Ancient Greece informally had this name (however, interestingly, it is not possible to find ancient coins with such a denomination in serious numismatic catalogs). On a historical scale, the lepton as a small coin has existed since ancient times. UNITED STATES OF THE IONIAN ISLANDS, a Greek state and amical protectorate of the United Kingdom (1819-1862): lepton = 1/4 obolĪbout the name of the coin lepton (plural: lepta): literally translated, the word "lepton" (Greek: "λεπτόν") means "small", "thin".The inscription on the ribbon below: "ΙΣΧΥΣ ΜΟΥ Η ΑΓΑΠΗ ΤΟΥ ΛΑΟΥ" (THE LOVE OF THE PEOPLE, MY STRENGTH - the official motto of the House of Glücksburg /a branch of the Oldenburg dynasty/, from which the King George I came).Ĭornucopia and torch as marks of the Paris Mint and its chief engraver.ĬOIN LEPTON - WHERE & WHEN (coins catalog: by names & emitents) ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ: Kingdom of Greece.Ī variation on the Greater coats of arms theme Kingdom of Greece (without shield holders). Not preserved to this day, the best-preserved of all ancient copies is the Roman marble Varvakeion Athena, which is exhibited in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. The coin depicts Athena Parthenos: a monumental chryselephantine sculpture of the goddess Athena by Phidias. Pillet (micro inscription under the denomination): French sculptor and engraver Charles Pillet.Īthena (an ancient Greek goddess associated with wisdom, handicraft, and warfare) in a helmet and with a shield an olive branch. Ruler: George I (George I of Greece) - King of Greece (1863-1913).Ĭh.
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