General Tom Thumb – 1 AVDP Oz .999 Fine Copper Round | Famous Circus Sideshow Acts Series
Description:
A distinguished tribute to one of the most celebrated performers in circus history, General Tom Thumb continues the Famous Circus Sideshow Acts Series—a collection honoring the legendary figures whose fame transcended the sideshow and entered popular culture worldwide.
The obverse features a finely engraved portrait of General Tom Thumb standing confidently beside a table, dressed in formal 19th-century attire befitting his rank and reputation. Rendered in classic intaglio style, the composition reflects dignity, poise, and theatrical polish, capturing the carefully curated image that made Tom Thumb an international sensation rather than a mere curiosity.
The reverse bears the ornate Famous Circus Sideshow Acts common series design: a grand carnival marquee framed by elaborate scrollwork and radiating lines inspired by vintage circus tents, handbills, and lithographed posters. This consistent reverse design unifies the collection while reinforcing its authentic, turn-of-the-century aesthetic.
Struck in one avoirdupois ounce of .999 fine copper with a Brilliant Uncirculated finish, this round commemorates a performer whose life redefined celebrity, showmanship, and the business of spectacle itself.
About the Act: General Tom Thumb
Born Charles Sherwood Stratton in 1838, General Tom Thumb was discovered at a young age by P.T. Barnum and quickly became the most famous little person of the 19th century. Carefully trained in music, dance, comedy, and impersonation, Tom Thumb performed before royalty, presidents, and sold-out crowds across Europe and the United States.
Far from being exploited, Stratton achieved unprecedented wealth and autonomy for a performer of his stature, becoming a shrewd entertainer and cultural icon. His marriage to fellow performer Lavinia Warren was a media sensation, further cementing his place in popular history.
Today, General Tom Thumb is remembered not just as a sideshow attraction, but as one of the earliest examples of modern celebrity—an entertainer who mastered image, performance, and public fascination long before the age of mass media.
Specifications:
- Series: Famous Circus Sideshow Acts
- Composition: .999 Fine Copper
- Weight: 1 AVDP Ounce
- Diameter: 39mm
- Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated
- Edge: Plain
- Mint: Intaglio Mint
- Made in the USA
