The lepton was the smallest and least valuable coin in circulation, worth about half a Roman quadrans (which itself took 64 to equal a denarius—a day's wage). Its name derives from the Greek word for 'thin' or 'fine,' describing both its physical thinness and minimal value. Jesus points to this coin in his teaching about the widow's offering: she gave two lepta—everything she had—while the wealthy gave from their surplus (Mark 12:42, Luke 21:2). Luke 12:59 uses it proverbially: you won't get out 'until you have paid the very last lepton,' emphasizing complete repayment down to the smallest fraction.