Trajan, 98-117. Aureus (Gold, 19 mm, 7.08 g, 7 h), Rome, 111. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Trajan to right, seen from behind. Rev. COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC / ALIM ITAL Trajan standing front, head to left, holding scroll in his left hand and extending his right toward a boy and a girl, both standing facing, raising their heads and hands toward the emperor. BMC 378. Calicó 984. Cohen 15 corr. (bust type). RIC 93 corr. (bust type). Woytek 345f. Minor edge cuff and with a small dig behind the emperor's eye, otherwise, nearly very fine.



The alimenta Italiae was a welfare program initiated by Nerva and expanded under Trajan. Its primary aim was to provide food and subsidized education to orphans and impoverished children in Italy. The program was financed through interest on estate-backed loans, private philanthropy, and spoils from Trajan’s Dacian campaigns. It remained in place until around 272, when it was likely discontinued by Aurelian - possibly in favor of a reformed cura annonae.