2019-S San Antonio Missions Quarter Value Guide
The 2019-S San Antonio Missions Quarter is worth anywhere from $0.50 in circulated condition to over $100 in high-grade proof finishes. Whether you found one in your pocket change or a set from the mint, identifying the specific type and quality is key to determining its true market value today.
| Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Business Strike) | $0.25 – $0.75 |
| Uncirculated (MS65) | $2.00 – $5.00 |
| Proof (PR69) | $7.00 – $15.00 |
| Silver Proof (PR70) | $35.00 – $110.00+ |
A Brief History of the 2019-S San Antonio Missions Quarter
The 2019-S San Antonio Missions quarter was the 49th release in the “America the Beautiful” (ATB) Quarters Program. This series, which ran from 2010 to 2021, honored various national parks and historic sites across all 50 states and U.S. territories. The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in Texas was the chosen site for the fourth release of 2019. If you are unsure exactly which coin you have, using a free coin identifier app can help you confirm the design and mint mark in seconds.
The reverse design of this coin is particularly beautiful. It features a design based on the Spanish Colonial Real coin, symbolizing the missions’ role as a center of commerce and community. It shows four quadrants representing different aspects of the mission: wheat for farming, arches/a bell for community, a lion for Spanish heritage, and a San Antonio River symbol for the life-giving water.
What makes the “S” mint mark special is its origin. While quarters from Philadelphia (P) and Denver (D) are mass-produced for general circulation, the San Francisco (S) mint primarily focuses on collector coins. However, beginning in 2012, the U.S. Mint also produced “S” mint business-strike quarters specifically for sale to collectors in bags and rolls. This means you might find a non-proof version in the wild, though it is quite rare. To get a better sense of how these compare to other issues, check out the current price trends for 2019 quarters.
Understanding the San Francisco “S” Mint Mark Varieties
Not all 2019-S San Antonio Missions quarters are created equal. Depending on how the coin was manufactured, its 2019-S San Antonio Missions Quarter value can vary significantly. There are actually three distinct versions of the “S” quarter produced that year: the Business Strike, the Clad Proof, and the Silver Proof.
The Business Strike “S” quarters were sold in rolls. They look like regular quarters but were never technically released into general circulation. Because they were handled in bulk bags, they often have tiny scratches (“bag marks”). The Clad Proof version is made with a copper-nickel sandwich and features a mirror-like finish with frosted details. These were sold in annual proof sets.
Finally, the Silver Proof is the most coveted. Made from 99.9% fine silver, these coins have a distinct brilliance and weight. Collectors often use the CoinKnow app to distinguish between clad and silver versions if they are unsure of the metal content. Knowing which variety you hold is the first step in determining if you have a common pocket piece or a high-value collector’s item. For a broader look at market trends, you can view the comprehensive 2019 quarter worth guide online.
| Variety | Mintage | Composition |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-S (Business) | Approx. 800,000 | Copper-Nickel |
| 2019-S Clad Proof | Approx. 600,000 | Copper-Nickel |
| 2019-S Silver Proof | Approx. 400,000 | 99.9% Silver |
Grading and Condition: Why It Matters
When it comes to the 2019-S San Antonio Missions Quarter value, condition is everything. Professional graders use a 70-point scale (the Sheldon Scale) to rank a coin’s quality. For modern quarters, anything below an MS63 (Mint State 63) for business strikes or PR67 (Proof 67) for collectors’ coins is considered average.
A “Mint State” coin looks exactly as it did the day it left the press. It has no wear on the high points of the design, such as the feathers of the lion or the edges of the mission bells. For collectors, the leap from MS66 to MS67 can mean a difference of double or triple the price. Proof coins are even more sensitive; a single fingerprint or hairline scratch can drop the value significantly.
If you believe your coin is in perfect condition, it might be worth sending to a grading service like PCGS or NGC. However, grading costs money. Before you spend $30 or $40 on grading, you should use the CoinKnow app to get a preliminary photo-based grade. This helps everyday Americans decide if their find is truly “gem” quality or just a nice-looking circulated coin worth a few dollars.
Silver Content in 2019-S San Antonio Missions Quarters
2019 was a special year for the U.S. Mint because it marked a shift in silver purity. Prior to 2019, silver quarters were 90% silver and 10% copper. Starting in 2019, the silver quarters in the Silver Proof sets were increased to .999 fine silver. This makes the 2019-S San Antonio Missions Silver Quarter more valuable strictly for its silver content compared to older versions.
To tell if your “S” quarter is silver, look at the edge of the coin. If you see a solid silver/white color with no trace of copper (the reddish-brown line seen on regular quarters), it is likely silver. You can also weigh the coin using a digital scale. A standard clad quarter weighs 5.67 grams, while the .999 silver version weighs 6.34 grams.
Because of the high price of silver, even a damaged or “cull” silver proof San Antonio quarter will always be worth at least its weight in silver. Currently, with silver fluctuates, that value usually starts around $4.50 to $6.00 just for the metal. Rare “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) silver proofs that are perfectly preserved can fetch much higher prices at auction from specialized collectors.
| Grade (Silver Version) | Market Price |
|---|---|
| PR67 DCAM | $15 – $20 |
| PR68 DCAM | $25 – $35 |
| PR69 DCAM | $40 – $60 |
| PR70 DCAM | $100 – $140+ |
Potential Error Coins to Look For
While the San Francisco mint usually has very high quality control, error hunters are always on the lookout for anomalies that could skyrocket the 2019-S San Antonio Missions Quarter value. Errors occur during the minting process and can turn a common quarter into a treasure worth hundreds of dollars.
One area of interest is the “doubled die” error. This happens when the hub strikes the die twice at a slightly different angle, leaving a blurred or doubled image on the coin’s lettering or design elements. For the San Antonio Mission quarter, check the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” or the intricate details of the mission arches for any signs of thickening or doubling.
Other common errors to watch for include “off-center strikes,” where the design is pushed to one side, or “die chips,” where a small piece of the metal die breaks off and leaves a raised bump of extra metal on the coin. While no major, famous errors have been widely reported for the 2019-S San Antonio specifically, new discoveries happen all the time. Tools like CoinKnow allow you to compare your coin against known error databases to see if you’ve found something unique.
Where to Sell Your 2019-S San Antonio Quarter
If you’ve determined that your quarter is a high-grade proof or a rare “S” business strike, you might be wondering how to turn it into cash. For common circulated quarters, you can simply keep them or sell them on sites like eBay in small “lots.” Since the S-mint business strikes are relatively low mintage (only about 800,000 to 1 million), they are popular with people trying to fill out their ATB quarter folders.
For certified Silver Proofs or PR70 coins, your best bet is a reputable online auction or a local coin shop. Be aware that a coin shop will usually offer you “wholesale” prices (around 50-70% of the retail value) because they need to make a profit when they resell it. Selling directly to another collector through forums or eBay will net you the highest price, but it requires more effort and involves fees.
Always make sure to handle your coin by the edges and never clean it. Cleaning a coin—even with a soft cloth—creates microscopic scratches that will instantly destroy its numismatic value. A “shiny” cleaned coin is actually worth significantly less than a “dirty” original coin to a serious collector.
FAQ
Q: Why does my 2019 quarter have an “S” but looks like a normal quarter?
A: You likely have a 2019-S Business Strike. In 2012, the Mint started producing S-mint quarters for collectors but in the same “business” finish as P and D quarters. They were sold in bags and rolls, not for general circulation, so finding one in change is a lucky find!
Q: Is every 2019-S quarter made of silver?
A: No. Most S-mint quarters are “Clad,” which means they are a mix of copper and nickel. Silver quarters were only sold in specific “Silver Proof Sets.” You can tell if yours is silver if it weighs 6.34 grams and has a solid white edge with no copper stripe.
Q: What is the highest price ever paid for a 2019-S San Antonio Missions Quarter?
A: High-grade Silver Proofs in PR70 DCAM (Deep Cameo) condition have sold for over $150 at major auctions. Business strikes in perfect MS67 condition can also go for over $50 because they are difficult to find without bag marks.
Q: Should I spend my 2019-S San Antonio Missions quarter?
A: If it is a silver proof, definitely not! It is worth at least $5 just for the silver. If it is a clad “S” mint coin, it is usually worth at least $1 to $2 to a collector. It is best to keep any “S” mint coin you find rather than spending it at face value.
