Holiday trivia – What Is an Obol?
By Ed | December 25th, 2008 | Category: OboPay | No Comments »Q: What Is an Obol?
A: Obo is short for obolus, an ancient Greek coin.
Online payment service Obopay has explained the origin of the company’s name. Carol Realini, Obopay’s founder, says she appreciates the history of money: “I was inspired to name Obopay after the Obol because I wanted to recognize history in naming something entirely new.”
The word “obo” is based on the Greek word for a type of ancient coin — the obolus or obol. In Ancient Greece, money was split up into many fractions of weights and measures, which would’ve been quite cumbersome compared to today’s streamlined processes. The word obolos also referred to a metal rod, which was sometimes used as currency.
If you’re curious about numismatics (that’s the the study, or collection, of coins and bank notes) check out the American Numismatic Organization.
I’ll bet you don’t find that one inside your Christmas cracker, but it might turn up in your Christmas afternoon game of Trivial Pursuit.
Ed
