American Women Quarters Series
Celia Cruz Quarter
History, design, and collector guide
Celia Cruz overview
Celia Cruz was a Cuban American singer known as the Queen of Salsa, recording dozens of albums and performing for decades across Cuba, the United States, and Latin America before her death in 2003. Her powerful voice and catchphrase, Azucar, meaning sugar, made her one of the most recognizable voices in Latin music.
Released August 12, 2024, her quarter made her the first Afro-Latina honored on U.S. currency, recognizing a career that helped bring Afro-Cuban music to global audiences.
Design and specifications
The reverse shows Cruz performing with a microphone, her catchphrase Azucar inscribed beside her, capturing the energy she brought to every stage.
- Reverse sculptor: Phebe Hemphill
- Reverse designer (Artistic Infusion Program): the U.S. Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program
- Release date: August 12, 2024
- Composition (standard clad): 91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel
- Composition (silver proof): 99.9% silver
- Diameter: 24.26 mm, edge: 119 reeds
- Obverse: George Washington, designed by Laura Gardin Fraser
Mintage figures
Mintage by mint, all figures from official U.S. Mint production reports.
- Philadelphia (no mintmark): 149,600,000
- Denver (D): 156,200,000
- San Francisco proof (S): 557,160
- Total mintage: 306,357,160
At about 306.4 million coins, the Cruz quarter is close to the Mary Edwards Walker quarter released two months earlier, part of the lower mintage 2024 group.
Why Celia Cruz was chosen
Cruz was chosen for a career that spanned more than five decades and helped popularize Afro-Cuban music around the world. She left Cuba in 1960 and became a defining voice of the New York salsa scene for the rest of her career.
Her selection as the first Afro-Latina honored on U.S. currency was widely celebrated by Latino communities, with her former manager calling it recognition for Latinos everywhere, not just Cubans.
Collecting the Celia Cruz quarter
Circulated Cruz quarters are worth face value, with about 306.4 million struck.
As with the rest of the series, the silver proof set is the main premium option for collectors.
5 fun facts about the Celia Cruz quarter
- Celia Cruz is the first Afro-Latina honored on U.S. currency.
- Her catchphrase Azucar, Spanish for sugar, is inscribed on the coin beside her portrait.
- Cruz left Cuba in 1960 and never returned, becoming a defining voice of the New York salsa scene.
- She recorded dozens of albums over a career spanning more than five decades.
- Her quarter was released August 12, 2024, the fourth coin of the program’s third year.
5 common FAQs about the Celia Cruz quarter
- Is a Celia Cruz quarter worth anything?
Circulated coins are worth face value. About 306.4 million were struck. - Why was Celia Cruz chosen for a quarter?
She was honored as the Queen of Salsa and the first Afro-Latina featured on U.S. currency. - What phrase appears on the Celia Cruz quarter?
Azucar, Spanish for sugar, her famous catchphrase. - When did Celia Cruz leave Cuba?
In 1960, after which she settled in the United States and never returned to Cuba. - When was the Celia Cruz quarter released?
It entered circulation on August 12, 2024.
3 quiz questions about the Celia Cruz quarter
- What is Celia Cruz’s historic distinction on U.S. currency?
A) First Cuban American athlete
B) First Afro-Latina
C) First Latina politician
D) First Puerto Rican performer - What is Cruz’s famous catchphrase, shown on the coin?
A) Azucar
B) Baila
C) Fuego
D) Ritmo - What genre of music is Celia Cruz best known for?
A) Salsa
B) Reggaeton
C) Bolero
D) Tango
Celia Cruz Quarter, Takeaway
The Celia Cruz quarter, released in August 2024, honors the Queen of Salsa and the first Afro-Latina featured on U.S. currency. With about 306.4 million struck, circulated coins trade for face value.