The Jovita Idar Quarter.
One morning Jo Emma and I went to run some errands close to the house and one of them had to do with stopping at the Dollar Tree to buy some crossword puzzles. We found only two different types for a $1.50 each plus tax so Jo Emma gave the cashier a five-dollar bill. As we were leaving the store, Jo Emma stopped to put the change in her purse, which was one dollar and three quarters. Whenever we go to a store, Jo Emma always brings her coin purse with her so that way she can pay the exact amount plus change and only receive in return dollar bills, but this time she forgot the coin purse in the Rav4. And she never checks her change and automatically puts it in her coin purse, but this time she did check the change and notice two unique quarters. Thus, she asked me point blank, “Who is this lady on the quarter?”
I leaned in to take a closer look, and my heart skipped a beat. “It’s Jovita Idar!” I excitingly exclaimed, nearly breathless with excitement. Not one, but two quarters bore the image of the legendary Mexican American journalist, educator, and civil rights activist. I had been hoping to find one of these newly minted quarters ever since I learned about its release nearly two years ago. And now, against all odds, two of them had landed in our hands.
Jovita Idar (1885–1946) was a trailblazing Mexican American journalist, educator, and civil rights activist born in Laredo, Texas. Raised in a family deeply committed to social justice, she began her career writing for her father’s newspaper, La Crónica, where she boldly addressed issues of racism, poverty, and inequality affecting Mexican Americans. In 1911, she founded the League of Mexican Women (La Liga Femenil Mexicanista), advocating for free education and empowerment for young girls. During the Mexican Revolution, she used her voice and pen to champion labor rights and women’s suffrage, even standing up to the Texas Rangers who tried to silence her. Jovita’s fearless pursuit of justice and education left a lasting legacy, now honored on a new U.S. 2023 quarter as part of the American Women Quarters Program. Her image on the U.S. quarter is more than a tribute—it’s a symbol of resilience, intellect, and the power of speaking truth to power. Holding those quarters felt like holding a piece of history, a tangible reminder of the battles she fought and the lives she touched.
Jovita Idar (1885–1946) was a trailblazing Mexican American journalist, educator, and civil rights activist.
The quarters themselves gleamed with a quiet dignity. Her portrait, etched in fine detail, radiated strength and grace. I could not help but marvel at the timing and the symbolism. It was not just about acquiring a collectible—it was about the story behind it, the journey that led us to that moment, and the spirit of Jovita Idar that seemed to whisper through the silver alloy. Jo Emma and I stood there, stunned and grateful, as if we had been handed a gift from the past. It was a reminder that history lives not just in textbooks or museums, but in the everyday moments that catch us off guard. Jovita Idar’s quarter is more than currency—it is a conversation starter, a legacy preserved, and for me, a magical encounter with a hero whose story continues to inspire. Sometimes, the smallest things—a coin, a glance, a question—can lead to the most extraordinary discoveries. And I always wanted to obtain a quarter of Jovita Idar when I first found out about it almost two years ago and now, I have two quarters!
When we got home, I checked on the Internet and found out that the Jovita Idar quarters have an error when they were minted. On the flip side of her image, the words should read, “In God We Trust,” but reads, “In Cod We Trust”—a rare misprint that collectors are buzzing about. According to listings on eBay and numismatic sources, this quirky error could fetch anywhere from $1,000 to over $2,000. What began as a simple errand turned into an unforgettable moment of serendipity and potential fortune. Indeed, what a terrific find.
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Copyright 2025 by Gilberto Quezada. All images in this blog are the public domain.