Trajan ruled the Roman Empire from AD 98 to 117 and is remembered not only for his military victories, but also for an ambitious programme of public works and social policy. One of the most distinctive initiatives associated with his reign was the Alimenta Italiae, a state-supported scheme intended to assist children in Italy. The programme was financed through a system linked to Italian agricultural estates and became an important element of Trajan’s image as the Optimus Princeps — the “best of emperors.” This silver denarius, struck at Rome around AD 112–114, refers directly to that programme. The reverse bears the inscription ALIM ITAL and shows Annona or Abundantia with grain ears, a cornucopia and a child — a remarkably explicit representation of imperial provision and welfare. Trajan, AD 98–117 — AR Denarius. Rome, AD 112–114. NGC Ch VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 2/5, brushed. RIC II 243; BMCRE 472; RSC 9b; Woytek 395b.