Corporation

Skidmore & Son (London

Manufacturer of tokens in London.

Founded around 1784 by John Skidmore (c. 1750–1823) as an ironmongery business in Clerkenwell (London). and expanded in 1789 with an additional branch in Holborn (London), which would eventually become the company's headquarters.

Operated under the name "Skidmore & Son" from c. 1793 to c. 1811, following the entry of his eldest son, Meremoth Skidmore (1772–1838), into the business.

Operated under the name "M. Skidmore & G. Skidmore" from c. 1811 to c. 1817, after John Skidmore handed over management to his two sons, Meremoth and Gamaliel Skidmore (1779–1822).

Managed solely by Gamaliel Skidmore under the name "G. Skidmore" from c. 1817 to c. 1822.

Managed by Gamaliel’s widow, Susannah Skidmore (c. 1780–1864), under the name "G. Skidmore" from c. 1822 to c. 1824, prior to the company's sale.

The Skidmore & Son company produced tokens between c. 1795 and c. 1798. John Skidmore’s second-born son, Paul Skidmore (22 December 1775–1798), played a pivotal role in this regard. According to Dykes (2007), Paul Skidmore was primarily responsible for token production. In addition to the signature "SKIDMORE HOLBORN LONDON," the abbreviations "P S" and "PSC" also appear. For a long time, this abbreviation was interpreted as standing for "Peter Skidmore," but John Skidmore’s family tree allows for identification only with Paul Skidmore. Furthermore, the period of token production (approx. 1795 to approx. 1798) aligns with the dates of Paul Skidmore's life (entering the business in 1795 at the age of 19, his untimely death in 1798).

Lit.: D. W. Dykes, ‚Peter‘ Skidmore. The Man who never was, British Numismatic Journal 77, 2007, pp. 246-263; R. Dalton - S.H. Hamer, The Provincial Token-Coinage of the 18th Century (1910) pp. 153 (erroneous reading of PS/PSC for Peter Skidmore).

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG98581

https://ikmk.smb.museum/ndp/corporation/17469

16.07.2026