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[FN#52] Arab. "Dinar," from the Latin denarius (a silver coin

worth ten ounces of brass) through the Greek δηνάριον: it is a

Koranic word (chapt. iii.) though its Arab equivalent is

"Miskal." It also occurs in the Katha before quoted, clearly

showing the derivation. In the "Book of Kalilah and Dimnah" it is

represented by the Daric or Persian Dinar, δαρεικός, from Dara= a

King (whence Darius). The Dinar, sequin or ducat, contained at

different times from 10 and 12 (Abu Hanifah's day) to 20 and even

25 dirhams or drachmas, and, as a weight, represented a drachma

and a half. Its value greatly varied, but we may assume it here

at nine shillings or ten francs to half a sovereign. For an

elaborate article on the Dinar see Yule's "Cathay and the Way

Thither" (ii., pp. 439-443).