agio

[ aj-ee-oh ]

noun

, plural ag·i·os.

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.

agio

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of agio¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of agio¹

C17: from Italian, literally: ease

Example Sentences

Behold thus this agio establishment, and the money of the bank, worth five per cent more than the current money.

From Project Gutenberg

The premium or discount on foreign bills of exchange is sometimes called agio.

From Project Gutenberg

The question of the agio of the Hamburg banco system belongs rather to the history of banking.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Paper money passes without fight or agio upon the prices demanded.

From Project Gutenberg