TRAJAN (98-117). Denarius. Rome.

Obv: IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P.
Laureate bust right, with slight drapery.
Rev: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI / ALIM ITAL.
Annona standing facing, head left, holding cornucopia and grain ears over child standing to left.

Woytek 395b; RIC 243.

Trajan introduced a subsidy scheme to support the rural economy and enable children from poor families to study and grow up healthy, drawing the necessary funds from his personal fortune. The measure, known as ‘institutio alimentaria’, was widely applied in Italy and was also intended to increase population growth, especially in rural areas.

Condition: Extremely fine; luster in field.

Weight: 3.60 g.
Diameter: 20 mm.