美国财政部发行龙年“吉利钱” 发行量创纪录

The US Treasury Department on Tuesday unveiled "Year of the Dragon" one-dollar notes, as a special seasonal gift featuring the most symbolic icon of Chinese traditional culture, in celebration of the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year.

US Treasurer Rosie Rios unveiled the newest additions to the Treasury's Lucky Money Collection at a news conference at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP).

"The Dragon is considered as the most desirable zodiac symbols, and BEP will offer 108,888 Year of Dragon notes, which is the highest number of notes ever offered for any of the lucky money products," said the Treasurer.

The product features an uncirculated one-dollar note with a serial number beginning with "8888" as the number 8 is seen by many Chinese as a symbol of good fortune. This lucky money product is exquisitely designed with decorative Chinese symbolism and is packaged in a red folder.

The "Year of the Dragon" is one of the 12 zodiac symbols associated with the Chinese Lunar Calendar. Many Chinese believe their fate is tied to the zodiac symbols in the year in which they were born. The year of Dragon represents good fortune and prosperity.

The new product will be on sale starting Wednesday for 3.95 US dollars to 5.95 US dollars according to the quantity purchased.

The Lucky Money products have been well received both domestically and internationally, since the BEP introduced such kind of products in 2000.

为了庆祝即将到来的中国农历春节，美国财政部于本周二发行了龙年“吉利钱”，面额为一美元。吉利钱以中国传统文化最具代表性的生肖图像为特色，为人们送上一份特别的节日祝福。

美国财政部官员罗茜．里奥斯在造币和印钞局举办的新闻发布会上展示了“吉利钱”系列的最新产品。

她说：“龙是最受人欢迎的生肖象征符号，造币和印钞局此次将发行108888套龙年吉利钱，创下生肖吉利钱发行纪录。”

2012年版“吉利钱”均为未流通的新纸币，面值一美元，序列号以“8888”开头。在中国，数字8代表“发财”。吉利钱设计精美，饰有中国特色的装饰性图案，并用红色套封包装。

龙年是中国农历中的十二生肖年之一。很多中国人认为自己的命运和所属的生肖有关。龙年代表着财运和兴盛。

吉利钱将于本周三发售，按照购买数量不同，每套吉利钱售价为3.95美元至5.95美元不等。

自2000年美国造币和印钞局首次发行以来，“吉利钱”在美国国内和国际市场一直备受欢迎。