Definition: Argentarii operated at the banks known as tabernae argentariae which were set up in the forum. The chief occupation of the argentarii was to exchange coins. Permutatio was the exchange of foreign coins for Roman ones, and was one of the responsibilities of the argentarii. They also kept sums of money for other people. Argentarii might be custodians of money in order to pay interest on behalf of those who entrusted them with the money. While in their custody, the argentarii would use the capital for their own profitable purposes. Argentarii could also act as agents, as at public auctions. They also tested the value of coins. During the imperial period, the argentarii were responsible for the circulation of newly-minted coins.
Source: Argentarii - A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, John Murray, London, 1875
Source: Argentarii - A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, John Murray, London, 1875
