Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Samuel 9:8

"And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way." — 1 Samuel 9:8 (ASV)

The fourth part of a shekel had a value of about sixpence. The shekel was probably divided into four quarters by a cross, much like early English silver coins, and could be subdivided when required into half and quarter shekels.