Born in Offenbach-On-Main, Hesse, Germany. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Germany. Located in Philadelphia in 1892. He studied at the Pennsylvania Society of Fine Arts and the Chicago Art Institute. Married with a daughter.

He specialized in portrait medals. He joined the ANA in August 1912 and advertised in The Numismatist for "Superior Die Sinking." He designed the ANA Medal of Merit. Employed as assistant chief engraver at the United States Mint 1927 to 1946. His best known design was the Iowa Statehood Centennial Half Dollar in 1946.

Pietz designed these Assay Commission medals:

1939 Assay Commission reverse (AC 84)

1940 Assay Commission reverse (AC 85)

1941 Assay Commission reverse (AC 86)

He produced the "Adam Pietz Dollar" (HK-457) for the Philadelphia Sesquicentennial Exposition in 1926. He produced a similar "Good Luck" piece that was promoted during the World War. His German birth and the swastika on the medal raised questions about his patriotism.

The employees of the mint presented Pietz with a medal when he retired in 1946. He died at Philadelphia General Hospital. His archives are at the American Numismatic Association.

bio: Fielding; P-F; WWWAmArt ; profile: Cw 4/28/2008 (photo) obit: NUM 75 Mar 1962 page 312