Thomas Simon (c. 16231665),

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

medalist, was born, according to

George Vertue George Vertue (1684 – 24 July 1756) was an English engraver and antiquary, whose notebooks on British art of the first half of the 18th century are a valuable source for the period. Life Vertue was born in 1684 in St Martin-in-the-Fields, ...

, in

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about 1623. Simon studied engraving under Nicholas Briot, and about 1635 received a post in connection with the

Royal Mint The Royal Mint is the United Kingdom's oldest company and the official maker of British coins. Operating under the legal name The Royal Mint Limited, it is a limited company that is wholly owned by His Majesty's Treasury and is under an exclus ...

. In 1645 he was appointed by the parliament joint chief engraver along with Edward Wade, and, having executed the great seal of

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and dies for the coinage, he was promoted to be chief engraver to the

and seals. He produced several fine portrait medals of

Oliver Cromwell Oliver Cromwell (25 April 15993 September 1658) was an English politician and military officer who is widely regarded as one of the most important statesmen in English history. He came to prominence during the 1639 to 1651 Wars of the Three Ki ...

, one of which is copied from a miniature by

Samuel Cooper Samuel or Sam Cooper may refer to: *Samuel Cooper (painter) (1609–1672), English miniature painter *Samuel Cooper (clergyman) (1725–1783), Congregationalist minister in Boston, Massachusetts * Samuel Cooper (surgeon) (1780–1848), English surge ...

. After the

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Simon was appointed engraver of the king's seals. On the occasion of his contest with the brothers

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Joseph Joseph is a common male given name, derived from the Hebrew Yosef (יוֹסֵף). "Joseph" is used, along with "Josef", mostly in English, French and partially German languages. This spelling is also found as a variant in the languages of the mo ...

and Philip Roettiers, who were employed by the mint in 1662, Simon produced his celebrated crown of Charles II, on the margin of which he engraved a petition to the king. This is usually considered his masterpiece. He is believed to have died of the

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in London in 1665. A volume of ''The Medals, Coins, Great Seals and other Works of Thomas Simon'', engraved and described by George Vertue, was published in 1753. He worked together with his brother

Abraham Simon Abraham Simon (1617-?1692) was an English medallist in the 17th century who worked closely with his brother Thomas Simon. Biography Simon was born in London in 1617. He worked abroad in Sweden and Holland before returning in 1643. His brother, Th ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Simon, Thomas 1623 births 1665 deaths English engravers English medallists