More than 50 million Celia Cruz quarters in circulation nationally
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A special silver-proof Celia Cruz quarter. Photo: Elena Santayana for Axios
Good news for Miamians itching to score a Celia Cruz quarter: The U.S. Mint has shipped out nearly 4 million of the specialty coins to Florida.
- So it should be just a matter of time before you find the Queen of Salsa in your change.
Why it matters: The limited-edition quarter has become a collector's item in Miami, where the late music icon is considered Cuban-American royalty.
- The quarter — released this month as part of the U.S. Mint's American Women Quarters collection — features a dynamic carving of a smiling Cruz performing alongside her catchphrase "¡AZÚCAR!" inscribed.
Stunning stat: The U.S. Mint tells Axios that it had shipped out 53.8 million Cruz quarters for nationwide circulation as of Wednesday.
- Of those, 3.6 million were in Florida, ordered by Federal Reserve Banks and delivered by armored car to local financial institutions and retailers.
Follow the money: Brent Thacker, a media relations officer for the U.S. Mint, tells Axios that Floridians could start to see the Cruz quarters in their pocket change by early to mid-September.
Yes, but: The Mint will stop manufacturing Cruz quarters in October to move on to another honoree, Thacker says.
- So if you find one, you better keep it.
You can order uncirculated quarters on the U.S. Mint website, and there's even holiday ornaments for sale.
- Latin Cafe 2000 is giving away the Cruz quarters as change for cash orders of $50 or more through October 21, or while supplies last, the Miami Herald reported.
- You can also visit the jewelry shop Santayana for a Cruz pendant necklace.
What they're saying: Thacker says the Cruz quarter appears to have made a big splash in the Cuban community.
- "She was a very popular person and people loved her music."