oboli

An obol was a small ancient Greek silver coin. Its name derived from the Greek word obelos, meaning a spit or skewer, likely referring to the shape of early bar-shaped bronze or iron money that preceded coinage. The silver obol was typically about one-sixth of an Attic drachma. It was a common denomination for everyday transactions, though its purchasing power varied depending on the region and time period. In funerary contexts, it was customary to place an obol in the mouth of the deceased. This was believed to be payment for Charon, the ferryman of the underworld, to transport the soul across the river Styx. The practice of including coins with the dead, particularly obols, has been found in many ancient Greek burial sites. The value and appearance of the obol could differ across various Greek city-states, with some minting their own distinct versions. While larger denominations like the drachma were more significant for trade, the obol played a crucial role in the daily economic life of ancient Greece and held symbolic importance in their beliefs about death and the afterlife.