Nickolaus Gilli

Dr. Nikolaus Gilli was the father of Anna Maria Gilli(n), and thus the maternal grandfather of Godlieb Christian Opperman, the South African Opperman patriarch and the great grandfather of Gottlieb Christian Giese, the famous Archdeacon of Görlitz. At the height of his career, Dr. Gilli’s was Brandenburg Elector, Frederik Willem’s (the 'Great' Elector) Chief Director of the Mint & Commerce Secretary (Obermunzdirektor und Kommerzienrats). He was also the author of the Zinna convention, signed in 1667 to regulate the European monetary system. There is also a reference to him being the Director of the Mint and ‘Mountain Works’ (Bergwerks Direktor). Despite all his titles, royal connections and obvious success, his life took many interesting turns. Dr. Iur Nikolaus (Nicholaus) Gilli first appears as the Director of the Posen Mint between 1660 and 1662 where his initials N.G. appear on coins minted there during this period. In 1663, however, he was accused of having issued money of lower standard and was imprisoned, only to be released by Frederik Willem. One source suggests that he was imprisoned in 1674, but this seems incorrect because many other sources point to him being imprisoned - at the notorious Spandau prison - for two years starting in 1663 and having had all his property and lands confiscated. What is clear is that he was released by Frederick Willem and was promoted to Chief Mint Director of Brandenburg with all his property returned to him. By 1666 he was the Director of the Mint in Crossen and years later he returned and invested heavily in the city. “Gilli, former Master of the Mint, Coin and Kommerzienrath, has since 1677 invested in Crossen works to the Behuf Kommerzieu and Manufacturing, ...” As to his family, it seems that his son, also Nicholaus Gilli attended the University of Frankfort an Oder, the same university as Godlieb Christian Oppermann attended, in 1682.”