Karl Goetz was born at Augsburg in 1875. He attended the Art School in Augsburg, and later the art schools in Dresden, Leipzig , Berlin and Dusseldorf. He spent five years in Paris and later moved to Munich, where he settled in 1904. Goetz was a prolific medallist, most noted for his satirical works, especially those of World War I. Goetz died in 1950. His medals are catalogued in two volumes by Gunther Kienast.