The Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR) has announced the release of a ₡100 commemorative coin dedicated to Swing Criollo, available for purchase starting July 23, 2025. This coin is part of the “Intangible Cultural Heritage” series, created to highlight cultural expressions that shape Costa Rican identity.
The “Intangible Cultural Heritage” Series
This collection includes six coins, each celebrating an element declared intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture and Youth:
- Swing Criollo
- Limonense Calypso
- Chorotega Ceramics
- Oxcart Tradition
- Cimarrona Music
- Liberian Bull Run
The series was proposed by the Cultural Heritage Directorate and approved in May 2025 by the BCCR Board of Directors, featuring new dimensions and alloy composition compared to the regular coinage.
Design and Specifications
- Obverse: Inscribed with “República de Costa Rica” and “Banco Central de Costa Rica,” plus four raised bars to aid tactile identification.
- Reverse: Bears the legend “Swing Criollo” alongside an engraving of dancers Ligia Torijano Chacón and Wálter Morales Zamora performing a classic swing step amid musical notes, with the year 2025 marking its approval.
A standard circulation version without color will also be minted for everyday use.
Sale Details and Acquisition Limits
- Release Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2025
- Presentations:
- Acrylic display case (10,000 units)
- Luxury presentation box (7,000 units)
- Price: ₡9,000 each
- Limit: Two coins per person, regardless of presentation
Sales locations and schedules will be announced by participating banks and cooperatives.
Origins and Cultural Significance
Swing Criollo emerged in the 1960s in San José dance halls, blending American swing with Colombian cumbia. Once stigmatized in elite circles, it gained popularity in the 1970s and today stands as a cornerstone of Costa Rican popular culture.
On May 3, 2012, through Executive Decree No. 37086-C, the Government of Costa Rica officially declared Swing Criollo an intangible cultural heritage.
Cultural and Social Value
With this numismatic tribute, the BCCR aims to strengthen the bond between the nation’s currency and its rich cultural heritage, inviting collectors and the general public to rediscover living traditions. The full series, including the regular circulation coins, will be available throughout the second half of 2025, modernizing the national coin system.
