2024 American Women Quarters Program,Celia Cruz, D Mint

Own this American Women Quarters Program coin honoring Celia Cruz – the “Queen of Salsa”

This quarter was issued in 2024 as part of the first series of US coins to honor the achievements of women. The reverse design on this quarter features an image of Celia Cruz enjoying herself while performing.  Her catchphrase “¡AZÚCAR!”...  more

Own this American Women Quarters Program coin honoring Celia Cruz – the “Queen of Salsa”

This quarter was issued in 2024 as part of the first series of US coins to honor the achievements of women. The reverse design on this quarter features an image of Celia Cruz enjoying herself while performing.  Her catchphrase “¡AZÚCAR!” is on the right side of the image.  This coin was minted at the Philadelphia Mint.

About the American Women Quarters Program

The American Women Quarters Program is a multi-year tribute to women from diverse backgrounds, races, ethnicities, and parts of the US.  They were chosen for their contributions to the abolition of slavery, civil rights activism, roles in government, as well as expertise in science, the arts, humanities and much more.

From 2022 through 2025, five new coins were released each year.  Each coin features a distinctive reverse design honoring an American woman, along with her name, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and “QUARTER DOLLAR.”   The obverse side showcases a new design of George Washington. 

Celia Cruz (1925-2003) was an internationally known singer and became known as the Queen of Salsa.  Born in Cuba, she began winning talent contests for her singing.  Though she trained to be a teacher, her love of music kept drawing her back.  She sang on the radio and with local bands.  Cruz became known for her versatility with music styles, but she faced discrimination because of her Cuban and African ancestry. 

When Cuba was thrown into a revolution and Fidel Castro came into power, Cuban artists were expected to produce songs that endorsed the new regime.  Refusing to yield to the new mandate, Cruz and her band flew to Mexico in 1962 for a concert tour and never returned to Cuba.  She eventually settled in the US.

By the 1970s, Cruz became associated with the salsa style of music.  Her catchphrase "¡Azúcar!” meaning “Sugar!” became a symbol of the music genre. 
Cruz continued to perform and record her unique music throughout her life.  During her career, she received two Grammy Awards.  She was also awarded the National Endowment for the Arts award by President Bill Clinton in 1994.  Celia Cruz will always be remembered for the impact she made on Latin music, bringing the sound to fans across Latin America and the United States.