The George W. La Borde Collection of Roman Aurei Part I
THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Trajan, 98 – 117
Aureus 111, AV 7.33 g. IMP TRAIANO AVG – GER DAC PM TR P Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. COS V P P SPQR OPTIMO PRINC Trajan standing l. extending his r. hand towards young girl and boy standing r. with their arms raised; in exergue ALIM ITAL. C 15. BMC 378. RIC 93 var. (without cuirass). Woytek 345f. Calicó 984.
Rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. A very attractive portrait and an
interesting reverse composition. Virtually as struck and almost Fdc
Provenance
Sold by LHS Numismatik, auction 95, Zurich, 25 October 2005, lot 794.
Inventory of Freeman & Sear (Los Angeles), sold on 1 December 2005.

The reverse of this coin refers to the Alimenta Italiae, an enlightened and constructive social welfare program first implemented under Nerva and skilfully expanded by Trajan and his successors down to the reign of Marcus Aurelius. Its purpose was twofold: to foster agriculture and promote the increase of population. It worked by making available to farmers capital loans at low rates of interest, which in turn was paid directly to municipalities throughout Italy who were then obliged to use the funds to finance the marriages of poor young people who otherwise were unable to set up house and start families. Unfortunately, the alimentary system was confined to Italy, and had completely disappeared by the 3rd century due to political turmoil and rampant inflation. During Trajan’s reign, the Alimenta Italiae was widely promoted on his coinage beginning in about A.D. 108, and, like his extensive building programs that were also advertised on the coinage, was funded from the wealth captured from Dacia during the emperor’s campaigns there.