Trajan, 98-117. Dupondius (Orichalcum, 28 mm, 15.43 g, 6 h), Rome, 111. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P Radiate head of Trajan to right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder. Rev. S•P•Q•R OPTIMO PRINCIPI• / S - C // ALIM•ITAL Annona standing front, head to left, holding two grain ears in her right hand and cornucopiae in her left; to left, child, togate, standing facing. BMC 918 note. Cohen 8 var. (differing bust type). RIC 460 var. (differing bust type). Woytek 355b. Well struck and with a lovely brown patina. Light porosity on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine.


The alimenta Italiae were a welfare program initiated by Nerva and continued by Trajan. Its main goal was to provide food and subsidized education to Italy's orphans and/or impoverished children. The program was funded by interests on estate loans, philanthropy, and Trajan's Dacian war booty, and existed until circa 272 AD, when it was likely abandoned by Aurelian and perhaps replaced by the reformed cura annonae.