Hans Köttenstorfer

Hans Köttenstorfer was educated at the technical school for engravers and chasers in Steyr from 1926-30. Subsequently he studied medalist art at the Academy of Fine Arts in Wien for four years. In 1949 he was employed at the Austrian Mint. There, Köttenstorfer later became head of the engraving department and finally chief engraver in 1965, a position he held until his retirement in 1977. In 1975, he was appointed professor and later remained active as a freelance artist.

Köttenstorfer created coins and medals for the Mint, including the crest sides of the 5-Schilling and the 50-Groschen coins as well as both sides of the 10-Groschen coin. His calendar medals were especially praised. In addition to his work as a medalist, Köttenstorfer was also a painter and graphic artist. His specialty in coins and medals was the technique of steel cutting. The die stamp for the Medal for the XV Olympiad Helsinki 1952 was also produced in this technique. The medal’s diameter was 70 mm. For the occasion of the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, he created another medal.