San Antonio Missions National Historical Park 2019 Rolls and Bags

2019 America the Beautiful Quarters® Program – San Antonio Missions National Historical Park Rolls and Bags

The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park quarter is the fourth in 2019 and 49th overall in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program.

The San Antonio Missions are a reminder of one of Spain’s most successful attempts to extend its territories north from New Spain (present-day Mexico) in the 1700s.

The San Antonio Missions made up one of the largest concentrations of Spanish missions in North America during the 1700s and helped create the foundation for the city of San Antonio. The missions were built as walled compounds containing the church, living quarters, workshops, storerooms, and fortified towers. The blending of cultures is reflected in the 18th century Spanish architecture and indigenous designs.

The missions were built close together because of the natural resources found near the San Antonio River. Construction of aqueducts and irrigation canals (acequias) brought water to the missions, sustaining farming and ranching. The missions’ toolmaking, carpentry, looming, spinning, and masonry further contributed to the community’s ability to be self-sustaining.

The missions are surrounded by residential and commercial areas, demonstrating both their modern-day success and unbroken connection with the past.

The reverse (tails) design depicts elements of the Spanish Colonial Real coin to pay tribute to the missions. Within the quadrants are symbols of the missions: wheat symbolizes farming, the arches and bell symbolize community, a lion represents Spanish cultural heritage, and a symbol of the San Antonio River represents irrigation methods and life-sustaining resources. Inscriptions are "SAN ANTONIO MISSIONS," "TEXAS," "2019," and "E PLURIBUS UNUM."