Swiss family of medallists. Jean [John] Dassier (b Geneva, 17 Aug 1676; d Geneva, 15 Nov 1763) trained under his father Domaine Dassier (1641–1719), chief engraver at the Geneva Mint, and studied in Paris under Jean Mauger and Joseph Roettier. From 1711 he was assistant engraver at the Geneva Mint and in 1720 succeeded his father as chief engraver, a post he held until his death. Around 1720 he designed and executed his first series of medals: those of French monarchs (72 medals) and religious reformers (around 24). In 1728 he visited England, where he refused the offer of a position at the Royal Mint. In 1731 he issued a series of medals dedicated to George II, depicting British sovereigns from William I to George II. This consisted of 35 medals available in gold, silver and bronze, some of which were damascened. He was joined in this project by his second son, and the medals are described in his A Sett of Medals of all the Kings of England (London, 1731) and An Explanation of the Medals of the English Monarchs Engraved by John Dassier and Son (Birmingham, 1731). The Birmingham manufacturer Edward Thomason obtained the dies and continued to issue the series. Dassier also produced series depicting subjects from ancient Rome (silver and bronze) and remarkable men from the time of Louis XIV (silver and bronze). Many of his portraits are not authentic, but the technical skill of his die-engraving placed him among the leading European medallists and ensured for him many commissions for commemorative medals.