montes pietatis

from Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
MONTES PIETATIS, or Monts de Piete. The name of institutions established by 
public authority for lending money upon pledge of goods. In those 
establishments a fund is provided, with suitable warehouses, and all 
necessary accommodations. Directors, manage these concerns. When the money 
for which the goods pledged is not returned in proper time, the goods are 
sold to reimburse the institutions. 
     2. These establishments are found principally on the continent of 
Europe. With us private persons, called pawnbrokers, perform this office, 
sometimes with doubtful fidelity. See Bell's Com. B. 5, c. 2, s. 2. 
    

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