ROETTIERS, Jan

Flemish medallist, part of a family of medallists, engravers and goldsmiths, active in France and England. Three sons of the goldsmith and engraver Philip Roettiers (1596-1669) became leading European medallists and die-engravers; all were invited by Charles II to work at the Royal Mint in London. Jan Roettiers, Philip’s oldest son took up the profession of stonecutter and medallist, with his earliest known productions being dated 1658 and 1660. He was first employed at the Antwerp Mint before moving to London in 1661 with his brother Joseph (and subsequently with a third brother Philip). A collaboration with Thomas Simon to engrave the dies for the new milled coinage of 1662 proved unworkable, and Roettiers alone was entrusted with the commission, thereby replacing Simon at the Royal Mint. Simon’s ‘petition crown’ of 1667 failed to reverse the decision, and Roettiers became Chief Engraver on the death of Thomas Rawlins (1670).

Jan Roettiers produced many important medals throughout the reign of Charles II, including a new Great Seal in 1666-1667. He also produced the official coronation medals of James II of England (1685) and William and Mary (1689). He was widely credited as one of the best engravers ever employed at the English mint.

His sons James Roettiers (1663-1698) and Norbert Roettiers (1665-1727) were also famed engravers and medallists both in England and in France.

Jan Roettiers died in 1703 and was buried in the Tower.