agio

American  

[aj-ee-oh] / ˈædʒ iˌoʊ /

noun

plural

agios

1. a premium on money in exchange.

2. an allowance for the difference in value of two currencies.

3. an allowance given or taken on bills of exchange from other countries, as to balance exchange expenses.

4. agiotage.

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agio British  

/ ˈædʒɪəʊ /

noun

1. 1. the difference between the nominal and actual values of a currency

   2. the charge payable for conversion of the less valuable currency

2. a percentage payable for the exchange of one currency into another

3. an allowance granted to compensate for differences in currency values, as on foreign bills of exchange

4. an informal word for agiotage

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Etymology

Origin of agio

1675–85; < Italian a ( g ) gio exchange, premium, ultimately < Medieval Greek allágion, derivative of Greek allágē literally, change, barter; compare Venetian azo, Medieval Latin lazius

Example Sentences

But an agio on coined over uncoined metal is quite possible, and has frequently occurred.

From The Value of Money by Anderson, Benjamin M.

It is in the case of coins of very small denomination that the agio might appear most readily.

From The Value of Money by Anderson, Benjamin M.

The agio at Amsterdam, how kept at a medium rate, 197.

From An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations by Garnier, Germain

In general, the possibility of an agio for coined metal, under restricted coinage, rests on the extent to which coin has a unique function.

From The Value of Money by Anderson, Benjamin M.

But suppose that there is an agio from other causes, will not the legal tender aspect of money tend to increase it?

From The Value of Money by Anderson, Benjamin M.