The United States will honor the legendary Cuban singer Celia Cruz (1925–2003) by featuring her image on a commemorative coin. This special quarter will officially begin circulating on August 12th, 2024, as part of the American Women Quarters program, which annually recognizes five distinguished female figures in the nation’s history.
The coin, adorned with Celia’s smiling face and her famous catchphrase ‘¡Azúcar!’ in Spanish, has been confirmed by the US Mint, part of the Department of the Treasury. Although its official public appearance is set for mid-August, collectors can already purchase a proof set featuring the five coins issued this year. These sets are available in three options: $23, $35 (double set), and $80 (silver edition).
This year, Celia Cruz will be the fourth woman to be honored under this program, which is set to release 500 million quarters featuring each celebrated figure. However, this number might increase depending on demand. Brent Thacker, a spokesperson for the US Mint, noted that there is no upper limit on the minting of these coins beyond the designated 500 million per figure. The Federal Reserve Bank will request additional minting based on public demand.
Celia, often referred to as the ‘Queen of Salsa,’ fled Cuba for exile in 1960, after which her music was banned by the Castro regime. Despite this censorship, her music found its way to Cuban listeners. In addition to her cultural impact, Celia Cruz’s legacy includes numerous accolades, such as three American Grammy Awards, four Latin Grammy Awards, and the Presidential Medal of the Arts.
The upcoming release of the Celia Cruz coin has generated significant interest both in the United States and in Cuba, where fans continue to celebrate her remarkable legacy as her centennial approaches next year.
Read the full article in English on cibercuba.com, assisted by Google Translate.