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Call for Artists

The United States Mint is no longer accepting applications to its Artistic Infusion Program.

Thank you to all those who applied!

Questions & Answers (PDF) | AIP Video | What Is the AIP? | Artists in Action | AIP Portfolio

Past and present artists discuss what it's like to be in the United States Mint's Artistic Infusion Program.

What Is the Artistic Infusion Program?

The United States Mint is seeking professional artists to join our AIP via a Call for Artists. The AIP is a pool of talented American artists who enrich and invigorate our Nation’s coins and medals through the development of specialized designs. AIP artists are:

  • Paid a set fee per assignment and earn a bonus fee of $5,000 per design selected for minting
  • Named as designer in historical documents, Certificates of Authenticity and promotional materials, and in most cases, have their initials appear on the final coin or medal
  • Able to work from their own studios

To qualify to join the AIP you must be at least 18 years of age at the time of your application, a citizen of the United States, and willing to accept the Mint’s Terms and Conditions. You must also be a professional artist with work either published, produced, or exhibited in any design driven media such as illustration, graphic design, animation, concept art, comics, collectibles, poster art, street art, tattoo art, or any other outlets where design integrity is a premium.

The Mint is seeking artists who can bring innovative perspectives and who can effectively utilize symbolism to create original artwork that successfully conveys a particular subject matter. The subject matter of the assignments varies across the coin and medal programs.

For example, some programs require portraits, some require landscapes, and many—as is the case with Congressional Gold Medals—require images emblematic of the honoree’s life and work. Many times, complex ideas and concepts must be conveyed through the coin and medal designs. Artists are expected to distill a program’s design theme to its essence, representing these complicated subjects on a very small palette. Whether a particular AIP artist’s work is realistic or stylized, artists typically use a variety of resource or reference materials to translate and interpret a wide range of subjects and concepts into designs.

Although designs begin as an illustration, artists must think three-dimensionally as they create coin and medal designs that will be translated into bas-relief sculpture. Artists must take into consideration relief, depth, negative space, and the type of metal that will bear the design.

To be considered for the AIP, you must submit an application containing a minimum of five and a maximum of ten samples of your work as an artist. Applicants are encouraged to submit works that display a full range of talent and ability. Please consider what is required of an AIP artist when selecting your work samples.

Following Evaluation Phase One, the Mint may invite selected participants to join the AIP without further evaluation.  Those applicants selected for further evaluation will be invited to Evaluation Phase Two, which will require the submission of a resume, a web link to their online portfolio, and the development and submission of a demonstration design for which each participating applicant will be paid a fee of $1,500.

Questions? Please consult the Q&A for all answers to all of the questions we have received thus far.

AIP Portfolio

Browse the gallery below to see recent works of art created for the Semiquincentennial Coins & Medals, American Innovation® $1 Coin Program, and American Liberty Coins & Medals.

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Best of the Mint - Walking Liberty Medal Elements from Weinman’s neoclassical masterpiece are unified into a single, flowing scene that spans both the obverse and reverse--captured in the sleek, geometric elegance of the Art Deco style that followed his era. Designs by Andrew Sides.
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Best of the Mint - Mercury Dime Medal This silver companion medal is a tribute to the Mercury Dime's era of 1916-1945, reflecting a time of profound transformation in the United States. Every element tells a powerful story of a Nation enduring, evolving, and emerging stronger. Designs by Kathryn Hudson.
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Best of the Mint - Standing Liberty Medal Inspired by the classic Standing Liberty quarter, the obverse portrays a windswept Liberty turning to offer a distant eagle the olive branches in her hand. The reverse shows a close-up of the branches in the eagle’s talons that Liberty was holding up on the obverse. Designs by Esao Andrews.
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Best of the Mint - 1907 Medal The obverse displays a new view of Saint-Gaudens’ Liberty carrying a torch and an olive branch, as 13 stars represent the original colonies that became the United States. The reverse depicts the eagle’s wings as an American flag. Designs by Jesse Hernandez.
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2026 Dime Esao Andrews' obverse design for the 2026 Dime depicts a determined Liberty, the winds of change wafting through her hair, as she faces the tyranny of monarchical rule with steadfast resolve. Her Liberty cap bears stars and stripes, a symbol of our burgeoning nation and a reference to early American coinage. Reverse design and sculpting by Medallic Artist Eric David Custer.
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2026 Half Dollar The 2026 Half Dollar obverse design by Donna Weaver shows a close-up view of the Statue of Liberty, her steadfast gaze looking outward as if toward the future. The reverse design by Beth Zaiken features Liberty passing her torch, its flame trailing with the momentum of purpose, to a new generation.
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2026 Steve Jobs Coin The obverse design for this 2026 American Innovation $1 Coin features a dramatic representation of the Statue of Liberty in profile. The reverse design presents a young Steve Jobs. His posture and expression show how this environment inspired his vision to transform complex technology into something as intuitive and organic as nature itself. Obverse design by Justin Kunz. Reverse by Elana Hagler.
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2025 American Liberty Gold Coin The obverse design for the 2025 American Liberty Gold Coin features a sunflower and a bee, representing the stewardship necessary to maintain liberty. The reverse design depicts an energetic and swirling depiction of an eagle. Designs by Christopher Polentz.