Legal Definitions - argentum

Argentum refers to silver, most commonly in the context of currency, coinage, or precious metals.

• Example 1: A historical document detailing a ransom payment from the 15th century might specify that the captors demanded "one thousand pounds of argentum" for the release of a noble.

  Explanation: In this scenario, "argentum" clearly refers to silver as a valuable commodity, likely in the form of bullion or coinage, used as a medium of exchange for a significant transaction.

• Example 2: When an ancient shipwreck is discovered, an inventory of its cargo might include "numerous chests filled with argentum," indicating a significant quantity of silver coins or ingots intended for trade or payment.

  Explanation: Here, "argentum" denotes the physical silver itself, emphasizing its role as a valuable cargo and a form of wealth or currency being transported.

• Example 3: A colonial-era legal decree might state that all taxes owed to the crown could be settled in either gold or "argentum" of a specified purity, establishing silver as an acceptable form of payment for public dues.

  Explanation: This example illustrates "argentum" being recognized as a form of legal tender, highlighting its function as an official medium for settling financial obligations within a legal framework.