Pinches was established in London in 1840. It stuck a medal to commemorate the opening for the season of the Crystal Palace in London in 1854, and was a prominent maker of medals for years thereafter.
Pinches was founded by John Pinches (1825-1905), who had learned steel engraving from his mother's cousin, medallist William Joseph Taylor (beginning when John was 15 years old in 1840, the year the firm determined as its founding). Four members of the Pinches family were associated with the firm after the first John Pinches: 1. John Harvey Pinches (1852-1941), the son of the founder. 2. John Robert Pinches (1884-1968), a grandson. 3 A second John Harvey Pinches. 4. A cousin, Leslie Pinches.
Infrequently Pinches struck medals engraved by one or other of the Wyons, but in 1932 Pinches acquired the J.S. & A.B. Wyon firm and all its dies. In the early 1960s a New York dealer and entrepreneur tapped the firm to make restrikes and fancy pieces.
Pinches was acquired by the Franklin Mint around 1969.
The second John Harvey Pinches wrote the book "Medals by John Pinches; A Catalog of Works Struck by the Company from 1840 to 1969", published in 1987. | 
