The assarion
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(Matt. 10:29) — a small bronze Roman coin in circulation, worth in our money somewhat more than 2 kopecks (2 3/20 kop.). It is mentioned in the New Testament only twice (Matt. 10:29 and Luke 12:6). In ancient times it bore the image of the Roman pagan deity Janus, and later, in the age of Augustus, the image of the Roman emperor.