Jovita Idar quarter wins Best Circulating Coin or Coin Series category at the 32nd Mint Directors Conference

The United States Mint received global recognition at the 32nd Mint Directors Conference (MDC) in Cape Town, where the 2023 Jovita Idar quarter was honored

The United States Mint is being recognized for its 2023 Jovita Idar quarter, which was named Best Circulating Coin or Coin Series at the 32nd Mint Directors Conference (MDC) in Cape Town.

Struck as the ninth release in the U.S. Mint’s American Women Quarters™ Program, the coin features a unique reverse design by Mint Medallic Artist John P. McGraw. Idar – an influential Mexican-American journalist, teacher, activist, and suffragist – is depicted with clasped hands.

Her silhouette is segmented by inscriptions in both English and Spanish, highlighting the causes she championed and the newspapers she helped shape. Among them: MEXICAN AMERICAN RIGHTS, TEACHER, NURSE, JOURNALIST, EVOLUCIÓN, ASTREA, EL HERALDO CRISTIANO, LA CRÓNICA, EL PROGRESO, LA CRUZ BLANCA, and LA LIGA FEMENIL MEXICANISTA, alongside standard coinage inscriptions including QUARTER DOLLAR, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

The coin’s obverse features the likeness of George Washington, used on all U.S. quarters since 1932. It was designed by James Earle Chester, Jr., and engraved by William J. MacPherran.

This year’s winning coins were selected from 112 global nominations submitted by mints from around the world and judged by members of the Mint Directors Association. The 2023 Jovita Idar quarter was nominated by the U.S. Mint.

The MDC Coin Awards are presented annually by the Mint Directors Association to recognize outstanding achievements in the field of coinage. They highlight the best coins and coin-related products issued by mints around the world.

The 32nd Mint Directors Conference was held in Cape Town, South Africa, from October 15-18, 2023. It brought together mint directors, executives, and other industry professionals from around the globe to discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities in the coinage industry.