Artistic Infusion Program Designer
Richard Masters is Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, where he previously served as Professor of Art for 19 years. Prior to retiring in 2015, he was selected for the SNC Professor of International Relations Endowed Professorship Award.
During his tenure, he taught undergraduate design courses, helped restructure and update the design area’s curriculum, and established a student internship program. He was also the recipient of seven faculty research grants.
Since 1999, Richard has exhibited his artwork in highly esteemed venues, including five solo shows, numerous invitationals, and over fifty national and international juried exhibitions. His work is often critically recognized, honors that include eight Best of Show or equivalent awards.
Richard studied design and drawing in the School of Art and Art History at the University of Iowa, graduating with a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1990.
As an inaugural member of the U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program, Richard has been creating new designs for coins and medals since 2004. In 2009, he received a Coin of the Year (COTY) award for his design of the 2007 Little Rock Central High School Desegregation Silver Dollar obverse.
An Iowa native, he and his spouse live in New York City pursuing independent careers in the fine and performing arts.
Coin Design Credits
- 2020 American Innovation $1 Coin Program – Connecticut reverse
- 2020 America the Beautiful Quarters® Program – Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve reverse
- 2020 America the Beautiful Quarters® Program – National Park of American Samoa reverse
- 2019 American Legion Commemorative Coin Program – Clad obverse
- 2019 American Legion Commemorative Coin Program – Clad reverse
- 2019 American Innovation $1 Coin Program – Pennsylvania reverse
- 2018 America the Beautiful Quarters® Program – Apostle Islands National Lakeshore reverse
- 2017 America the Beautiful Quarters® Program – Effigy Mounds National Monument reverse
- 2016 Presidential $1 Coins – Ronald Reagan obverse
- 2015 U.S. Marshals Service 225th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program – Silver obverse
- 2013 5-Star Generals Commemorative Coin Program – Silver obverse
- 2012 Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Program – Gold reverse
- 2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Program – Silver reverse
- 2011 United States Army Commemorative Coin Program – Silver obverse
- 2011 Native American $1 Coin Program – reverse
- 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program – Northern Mariana Islands reverse
- 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Coin Program (Birth and Early Childhood in Kentucky) – reverse
- 2007 Little Rock Central High School Desegregation Silver Dollar Coin – obverse
- 2006 50 State Quarters Program – Nebraska reverse
Medal Design Credits
- Merrill’s Marauders Congressional Gold Medal – reverse
- 2021 U.S. Armed Forces Silver Medals Program – Coast Guard obverse
- 2019 American Veterans Silver Medal – reverse
- Presidential Medal Program – Barack Obama (Term 1) obverse
- First Special Service Force Congressional Gold Medal – reverse
- Professor Muhammad Yunus Congressional Gold Medal – reverse
- Code Talkers Recognition Congressional Medals Program – Comanche Nation obverse
- Presidential Medal Program – George W. Bush (Term 2) reverse
Coin & Medal Design Credits
- 2021 American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin and Silver Medal – reverse
- 2019 American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin and Silver Medal – obverse
- 2016 First Spouse Gold Coin and Medal Program – Patricia Ryan “Pat” Nixon obverse
- 2016 First Spouse Gold Coin and Medal Program – Patricia Ryan “Pat” Nixon reverse
- 2015 First Spouse Gold Coin and Medal Program – Mamie Eisenhower obverse
- 2014 First Spouse Gold Coin and Medal Program – Lou Hoover reverse
- 2013 First Spouse Gold Coin and Medal Program – Helen Taft reverse
- 2011 First Spouse Gold Coin and Medal Program – Julia Grant reverse