E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Dena’rius.
A Roman silver coin, equal in value to ten ases (deni-ases). The word was used in France and England for the inferior coins, whether silver or copper, and for ready money generally. Now d (denarius) stands for money less than a shilling, as £ s. d.
1
“The denarius … . shown to our Lord … . was the tribute-money by the Jews to the Roman emperor, and must not be confounded with the tribute paid to the Temple.”—F. H. Madden: Jewish Coinage, chap. xi. p. 247.
Denarius Dei [God’s penny]. An earnest of a bargain, which was given to the church or poor.
2
Denarii St. Petri [Peter’s pence]. One penny from each family, given to the Pope.
3
Denarius tertius comita’tus. One-third of the pence of the county, which was paid to the earl. The other two-thirds belonged to the Crown. (See D.)
