Obv: A fender and fire-irons, T. GORTON . DEALER . IN . FENDERS, &C. . CLERKENWEL . (around), LONDON below. Rev: A cypher T G between palm branches, BRITISH . PENNY. (above), 1797. (below). Edge: I PROMISE TO PAY ON DEMAND THE BEARER ONE PENNY X.
Uncirculated. Choice Red & Brown. Cud showing on obverse at 2 o’clock. Some lustre remains. Rare. Penny. Ex. Deane.
Perhaps a private token or one intended as a genuine trade token, it is most likely a specious penny to be sold to collectors. The die soon broke, as you can see from the obverse cud. The reverse was to be used as pairing for other Skidmore productions. There was indeed a T. Gorton who had a business in London as a fender and fire-iron maker, so perhaps the original intent was a token for trade.