Within the collectors’ market, there are coins that stand out for their rarity and their stories. Some manage to obtain impressive values in auctions or specialized platforms. This is the case of the 2019 25-cent coin, part of the “San Antonio Missions” series, for which they paid $75,000. But what is the reason why they paid so much for this specimen? Now we tell you.
The story behind the 2019 25-cent coin
The 2019 “San Antonio Missions” 25-cent issues is part of a commemorative series. It was released by the United States Mint on September 10 of that year and was made in honor of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. Recall that this is a site that preserves four of the five Spanish missions, which were crucial in the development of the city of San Antonio, Texas, during the 18th century.
The design of this specimen is inspired by the Spanish Colonial Royal Coin, a reflection of the rich cultural and religious legacy that those missions left in the region. On the reverse, four symbols can be seen within a cross: wheat, representing agriculture; the bell and arches, symbolizing the community; a lion, representing the Spanish cultural heritage; and the San Antonio River, referring to the irrigation systems vital to life at that time.
How to identify the details of this valuable specimen
As we said before, the value of a piece in the collector’s market depends on several factors. In the case of the 2019 “San Antonio Misiones” 25 centavos coin, we can say that it has a series of specific characteristics that raise its value within the auctions. These are the details that make this specimen particular:
- Mint mark: one of the key features that can increase the value of this coin is the “W” mint mark. This indicates that it was minted by the West Point Mint and were distributed in limited quantities, making them rare and more significant pieces.
- State of preservation: another determining factor is the condition in which they are found. Pieces that are in near mint condition, graded MS69 or MS70 by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). They are also highly valued by collectors. In this case, the 2019 “San Antonio Missions” quarter, which fetched $75,000, was graded MS69, meaning it was in extraordinary condition.
- Unique features: in addition to mintmark and condition, some may contain minting errors or other features considered unique. These are details that set them apart from the rest, further enhancing their value.
The current value of coins on the buying and selling market
While not all 2019 “San Antonio Missions” quarters are worth thousands of dollars, those that meet the above requirements can fetch unimaginable prices on the buy and sell market. For example, a similar specimen with an MS68 grade was sold in May 2024 for $1260 at auction by Heritage Auctions.
According to PCGS, the $75,000 sale was for a specimen that was considered to be the first in circulation. This undoubtedly made it a unique piece. However, the West Point Mint minted more than 20 million examples.
