| Coin | Quarter Dollar 2019 San Antonio Missions |
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The Quarter Dollar is a United States coin worth 25 cents. It has been produced on and off since 1796 and consistently since 1831. From its inception until 1964, the denomination was issued in silver; it underwent several design changes, including finally the silver Washington quarter (1932 - 1964) featuring the first President of the United States on the obverse and the American Eagle clutching a bunch of arrows on the reverse. Initially meant as a one-year design to commemorate 200 years since the birth of George Washington in 1932, the obverse became the definitive design for the denomination and has been used ever since. The reverse was issued in this form until 1998, after which time a large number of circulating commemoratives started being issued instead; the State Quarters series of 50 coins featuring each State was issued from 1999 to 2008; in 2009, a six-coin series represented the District of Columbia and five US territories.
The America the Beautiful Quarters Program (abbreviated ATB) running from 2010 until 2021 was then introduced; it is a 56 quarter-dollar coin series featuring designs depicting national parks and other national sites in each state, federal district or territory.
The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park quarter is the fourth to be released in 2019 and the 49th overall in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program; it was released on 26 August 2019 and represents the state of Texas.
The San Antonio Missions were among the largest concentrations of Spanish missions in North America, established in the 1700s, and helped create the foundation for the City of San Antonio, TX. The construction of aqueducts and irrigation canals (acequias) brought water to the missions, sustaining farming and ranching. The missions’ tool-making, carpentry, looming, spinning, and masonry also contributed to the community’s ability to be self-sustaining.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (Texas) Quarter Dollars issued in 2019 have now been in circulation for only five years. |
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| Obverse | |
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At its centre, the obverse of the coin shows the portrait of George Washington, the first President of the United States (1789 - 1797), facing left. He has long hear, tied below the neck with a ribbon.
The designer's initials JF (for John Flanagan) are in relief on the neck truncation, followed by those of the engraver: WC (for William Cousins).
To the left of the portrait, the inscription LIBERTY. On three lines to the right, the motto IN GOD WE TRUST.
Around above, the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Around below, the value and denomination in words: QUARTER DOLLAR.
The mint mark is a small letter behind George Washington's neck.
Mint marks this year are D, P, S or W for Denver, Philadelphia, San Francisco or West Point mints respectively. |
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| Reverse | |
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The coin design depicts elements of the Spanish Colonial Real coin to pay tribute to the missions. A Spanish-style cross divides the centre into four parts; within the quadrants are symbols of the missions: wheat symbolises farming; the arches and bell symbolise community; a lion represents Spanish cultural heritage; and a symbol of the San Antonio River represents irrigation methods and life-sustaining resources.
Around above, the inscription SAN ANTONIO MISSIONS. Around below left, the name of the state: TEXAS.
Below left, the initials of the designer CTC (for Chris Costello); below right, the initials of the sculptor, JFM (for Joseph Menna).
The date of issue 2019 is below, followed by the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM ("Out of many, one" - signifying unity in diversity). |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Authorising Legislation: Public Law 110-456.
The San Francisco Mint only struck coins for collectors, not released into circulation: 1,636,316 in copper-nickel and 539,511 in silver. The other three mints only struck circulation coins.
This is the first year when the West Point Mint struck quarters for circulation. In a surprise move announced on 2 April 2019, the US Mint released circulating quarters from the West Point Mint; these can only be found in circulation and were not part of sets or sold directly. The Mint did this with the purpose of generating excitement for coin collecting by introducing rare coins into circulation. These "W" quarters were mixed in with bags of coins minted from the Philadelphia and Denver Mint, to be found by lucky collectors in their change. |
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