50th Anniversary Ringling Bros. — Golden Jubilee
5¢, 10¢, 15¢ and $1 · Baraboo Chamber of Commerce
In 1933, the Chamber of Commerce of Baraboo, Wisconsin —foundation of the Ringling Bros. Circus in 1883— issued this series of commemorative scrip on the occasion of the circus' triumphant return to its hometown to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its founding. Put into circulation as a temporary substitute for current currency and also as a souvenir of the celebration, the scrip was redeemable in local businesses or directly by the Chamber of Commerce until November 1, 1933. The fractional denominations —5, 10 and 15 cents— share the same reverse design and an obverse with the portrait of John Ringling, one of the five founding brothers of the circus. The series is completed with the one dollar bill, the obverse of which shows the joint portrait of the five Ringling brothers.
Five Cents
Design
Obverse:printed in black ink with gold accents, oval portrait of one of the Ringling brothers on the left, denomination “FIVE 5 CENTS” in central cartouche and vignettes of elephants and lions in the corners.Reverse:a green vignette shared with the other names in the series (see “Conside” Common Design below).
Ten Cents
Design
Obverse:same scheme as the 5-cent denomination, with the legend “TEN 10 CENTS” replacing the denomination and the validation seal in red ink.Reverse:Green vignette shared with the other names in the series.
Fifteen Cents
Design
Obverse:same scheme as the other denominations, with the legend “FIFTEEN 15 CENTS”. Being an unusual denomination in the American script, it is the rarest piece in the series.Reverse:Green vignette shared with the other names in the series.
One Dollar
Design
Obverse:unlike the fractional denominations, it features a joint (jugate) portrait of the five Ringling brothers in an oval at left, the denomination “ONE DOLLAR” in a central cartouche, lions in the upper corners, and elephants in the lower corners, with a blue Series A letter. Signed by P. L. Gust and O. L. Gust.Reverse:a green vignette shared with the other names in the series (see “Conside” Common Design below).
Common Reverse Design
The four denominations (5¢, 10¢, 15¢ and $1) share an identical reverse printed in green ink: an upright Bengal tiger and lion flank a central vignette of the main tent (“Big Top”) of the circus, crowned by an oval with “50th ANNIVERSARY” and the dates “1883” and “1933”. Below, the legend “GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATING THE FOUNDING OF RINGLING BROS. SHOWS AT BARABOO, WIS.” summarizes the commemorative purpose of the issue.
Ringling Bros. Circus was founded in Baraboo in 1883, when the five Ringling brothers presented their first traveling show in the city. Fifty years later, during the Great Depression, the circus —merged with Barnum & Bailey since 1919— returned to its hometown for a special anniversary performance. The Chamber of Commerce used the occasion to issue this scrip, injecting about $50,000 into local circulation and leaving behind one of the sets of circus exonumia most coveted by collectors of “Greatest Show on Earth” memorabilia.
— Historical Context Note
Sources
- Baraboo Circus World Museum — Historical Archives
- Heritage Auctions —ha.com(opens in a new tab)
- Numista —numista.com(opens in a new tab)