Charles S. Stratton alias General Tom Thumb 1862

This 1862 silver medal by Joseph Moore depicts Charles S. Stratton, better known as General Tom Thumb, a famous American dwarf who was a celebrated performer in P.T. Barnum's circus. The obverse features Stratton standing in front of a miniature stage, holding a top hat and cane, while the reverse shows a carriage being pulled by four horses. The medal commemorates Stratton's triumphant tour of Europe, where he was received by royalty. The inscription on the reverse notes his performance before Queen Victoria and other dignitaries. Stratton's life and career were fascinating, he became a celebrity and a symbol of the Victorian era.