AGIO. An Italian word, the original meaning of which is "ease, convenience." It was introduced into general mercantile language to express the additional sum payable by a person who wished to exchange one kind of money against another kind, the kind taken in exchange being in greater demand than the kind given in exchange ; the person effecting the exchange paid the premium for his convenience. The expression when now used is employed in countries where a premium is payable on metallic money, and where paper money with a forced currency is the regular medium of exchange. E. S.