CO´LLYBUS
CO´LLYBUS (
κόλλυβος,
less correctly
κόλλυβον, Poll. 9.72), the
smallest copper coin at Athens, the fourth of the Chalcus. (
Aristoph. Peace 1200; Eupol. ap. Schol.
ad Aristoph.
Pac. 1176; Callim. ap. Poll.
l.c.).
Collybus seems to have been a
common name for small money, since it signified generally “changing
money,”
“the rate of exchange,” and
κολλυβιστής,
“a money-changer.” (
Cic. Ver.
3.78, 181,
ad Att.
12.6; Poll. 3.84, 7.170; St. Matt. 21.12;
ARGENTARII p. 179
b;
Hussey,
Ancient Weights and Money, p. 115; Hultsch,
Metrologie, p. 166.)
[
W.S]
