Thomas Simon (c. 16231665), English 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

Yorkshire Yorkshire ( ) is an area of Northern England which was History of Yorkshire, historically a county. Despite no longer being used for administration, Yorkshire retains a strong regional identity. The county was named after its county town, the ...

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 official maker of British coins. It is currently located in Llantrisant, Wales, where it moved in 1968. Operating under the legal name The Royal Mint Limited, it is a limited company that is wholly ow ...

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

the Commonwealth ''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The ...

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 statesman, politician and soldier, widely regarded as one of the most important figures in British history. He came to prominence during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, initially ...

, one of which is copied from a miniature by Samuel Cooper. After the Restoration Simon was appointed engraver of the king's seals. On the occasion of his contest with the brothers

John John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second E ...

Joseph Joseph is a common male name, derived from the Hebrew (). "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 modern-day Nordic count ...

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 plague 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.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Simon, Thomas 1620s births 1665 deaths English engravers English medallists