Celia Cruz Honored with Her Own US Quarter
The Queen of Salsa Celebrated in the 2024 American Women Quarters Program
On August 5, 2024 the U.S. Mint began shipping the fourth coin in the 2024 American Women Quarters (AWQ) Program which honors Celia Cruz. These quarters are made at the Philadelphia and Denver Mint facilities, and the design was created and sculpted by U.S. Mint artist Phebe Hemphill.
The AWQ Program celebrates the remarkable contributions of women throughout United States history. Each honoree represents an inspiring example of accomplishments across various fields. Coins featuring more honorees will continue to be released through 2025.
The Celia Cruz coin celebrates her incredible legacy. Known as "The Queen of Salsa," Cruz wasn’t just a Cuban-American singer—she was a cultural icon who empowered Afro-Latino Americans and embraced her Cuban roots. Her influence extended far beyond music, and she remains an enduring symbol of Afro-Latino pride. Cruz won numerous awards, including four Latin Grammys, the National Medal of Arts, and a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Grammy.
"I wanted to capture the dynamism of Celia Cruz," said Hemphill. "Watching her perform in her iconic rumba dress inspired me to create a design that reflected her energy and greatness."
The reverse side of the coin shows Celia Cruz in her famous rumba dress, flashing her radiant smile with her catchphrase “¡AZÚCAR!” inscribed to the right.
Authorized by Public Law 116-330, the American Women Quarters Program began in 2022 and runs through 2025. Each year five quarters are released — honoring women from diverse backgrounds who made significant contributions in fields such as civil rights, government, science, the arts, and more.