2022-02-23 Wed

Known as Institutio Alimentaria or the Food Institute, this charitable measure was taken in the year 114 by the Roman emperor Trajan for the children of Italy.

Due to the wars, many children suffered from hunger and hence the emperor decided to intervene. He drew the necessary sums from his personal estate the sums necessary to guarantee a peaceful future for hundreds of needy children, legitimate and illegitimate, especially from the countryside.

This gold Aureus coin depicts Trajan's laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust on the right and Trajan, togate, standing left, holding roll in the left hand, extending a right hand towards boy and girl to left on the reverse. The boy extends his left hand up towards Trajan, the girl stretches both hands.

Image Courtesy: cngcoins.com