But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents — the poor widow's offering is introduced in sharp contrast to the many rich people. Two very small copper coins (two lepta) — the lepton was the smallest coin in circulation, a fraction of a denarius. The two coins together were worth a kodrantes (quadrans), the smallest Roman coin. The monetary value is as small as possible while still being a real offering.

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