Dupondius Trajan - Alimenta institution

TRAJAN. Æ Dupondius. Rome, 112-114 AD Obv. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI PP Radiated head right Rev. SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI SC, in exergue, ALIM ITAL Abundantia standing left, holding cornucopiae and grain ears; at her feet, a child holding a roll. RIC 605; Cohen 12 (3 F) 'the Senate and Roman people to the best prince' Scarce type. This type is a reference to the charitable policy instituted by Nerva ([i]alimenta[/i]) and extended by Trajan which provided for the welfare and education of Italian orphans. This organization had several purposes: first, revivify agriculture in Italia province, subject to heavy competition from agricultural productions of other provinces, through loans with low interest rate. The interests were used to feed the children. This social policy was not without counterpart, as the children, once old enough, had to enlist in the army. Natural leather brown surfaces, from hoard. Bought from Salem, Holyland (VCoins).