The obolus (or obol) is a Greek silver coin worth a sixth of a drachma. Its value is approximately three US cents (2003). In Classical Athens it was subdivided into eight chalkoi ("copper pieces").
According to Plutarch, the Spartans had an iron obolus of four chalkoi.
The obolus is also a measurement of weight. In ancient Greece it was defined as one sixth of a drachma, or about 0.5 gram. In ancient Rome it was defined as 1/48 of a Roman ounce, or about 0.57 gram. In modern Greece it is equivalent to one decigram, or 0.1 gram.
The obolus (or obol) is a Greek silver coin worth a sixth of a drachma.
Those without enough wealth, or whose friends refused to follow proper burial rites, waited eternally on the shore, and were never able to cross into the underworld.
In popular culture, the obol was used in the cult indie film "The Boondock Saints." Two brothers, in their role as vigilantes, place obols over the eyes of a murdered Mob Boss.
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