The Alimenta Italiae

Triton XX, Lot: 722. Estimate $15000. Sold for $16000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Trajan. AD 98-117. AV Aureus (19mm, 7.21 g, 7h). Rome mint. Struck AD 111. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC, ALIM ITAL in exergue, emperor standing left, holding volumen in left hand, extending right hand to young boy and girl standing right. RIC II 93 corr. (bust type); Woytek 345f; Calicó 984; BMCRE 378; Biaggi 462. Choice EF, a few tiny marks. Well struck.

From the Continental Collection. Ex Giessener Münzhandlung 76 (22 April 1996), lot 430.

This type commemorates a welfare program instituted by Trajan to provide aid to Italy’s orphaned and destitute children, specifically in the way of food goods and subsidized education.