Trajan, 98-117. Denarius (Silver, 19 mm, 3.38 g, 6 h), Rome, circa 112-113. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P Laureate head of Trajan to right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder. Rev. S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI / ALIM ITAL Annona standing front, head to left, holding grain ears in her right hand and cornucopia in her left; to left, child standing facing, head to right. BMC 468. Cohen 9. RIC 243. Woytek 395b. A few light marks, otherwise, about extremely fine.
From the Agricola Collection, ex Gorny & Mosch, 10 March 2003, 2085 (with original ticket).
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.