Attica, Athens, Obol

The obol was a tiny coin – this specimen has a diameter of 9 millimeters only. Nevertheless this coin had some purchasing power. A liter of olive oil, for instance, cost 3 oboloi. Skilled workers were paid 6 oboloi a day (= 1 drachm), while unskilled workers received about half that amount. A house maid got about 2 oboloi per day, and poor Athenians unable to work were given 2 oboloi per day from the state relief fund.