Lionel the Lion-Faced Man – 1 AVDP Oz .999 Fine Copper Round | Famous Circus Sideshow Acts Series
Description:
A haunting and dignified tribute to one of the most visually striking figures of the classic sideshow, Lionel the Lion-Faced Man continues the Famous Circus Sideshow Acts Series—a collection dedicated to the extraordinary individuals who transformed human difference into living legend beneath the big top.
The obverse features a powerful engraved portrait of Lionel, his face and upper body covered in a flowing mane of hair that earned him his unforgettable moniker. Rendered in refined intaglio style, the design balances spectacle with respect, emphasizing texture, depth, and expression rather than caricature. His formal attire and composed posture reflect the era’s presentation of sideshow performers as both marvels and gentlemen.
The reverse displays the ornate Famous Circus Sideshow Acts common series design: an elaborate carnival marquee framed by intricate scrollwork and radiating lines inspired by vintage circus tents, handbills, and lithographed posters. The consistent reverse unifies the series while reinforcing its nostalgic, turn-of-the-century aesthetic.
Struck in one avoirdupois ounce of .999 fine copper with a Brilliant Uncirculated finish, this round preserves the legacy of a performer whose appearance alone commanded awe, curiosity, and enduring fascination.
About the Act: Lionel the Lion-Faced Man
Lionel the Lion-Faced Man was a popular sideshow performer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for a rare condition called hypertrichosis, which caused excessive hair growth across the face and body. Marketed as a human-lion hybrid, Lionel became one of the most recognizable figures in circus and carnival exhibitions of the era.
Despite sensational advertising, performers like Lionel often embraced their stage identities, using elaborate costumes, dignified presentation, and controlled narratives to command respect and secure financial independence. His carefully groomed mane and refined wardrobe became trademarks, transforming what audiences perceived as a curiosity into a powerful visual persona.
Today, the Lion-Faced Man stands as a symbol of the sideshow’s complex legacy—where spectacle, science, and humanity intersected in unforgettable fashion.
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
