美国财政部发行"吉利钱"迎兔年

In celebration of the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year, the US Treasury Department Tuesday unveiled 2 new Lucky Money products, “Year of the Rabbit” and “Lucky Lion.”

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

The “Year of the Rabbit” is one of the 12 zodiac symbols associated with the Chinese Lunar Calendar. This lucky money product is exquisitely designed with decorative Chinese symbolism and is packaged in a red folder with gold foil.

The product features an un-circulated one-dollar note with a serial number beginning with “8888,” which is seen by many Chinese as a symbol of good fortune and prosperity.

The “Lucky Lion” includes a $10 note with a serial number beginning with “8888.” This is the first time a Lucky Money product has featured a $10 note since the BEP introduced such kind of products in 2000.

The “Lucky Lion” is attractively presented in a decorative folder capturing the significance of Chinese numerology and is encased in a protective, clear, acid-free polymer sleeve.

“According to the legend, the lion is a symbol of strength and protects people from misfortune. It is also believed the shining light from the lantern guides the way toward prosperity and happiness,” said Rios.

Both products will be on sale starting Wednesday. The “Year of the Rabbit” is sold for $5.95 and only 88,888 will be available for sale. The “Lucky Lion” is limited to 8,888 and is available for the price of $28.88.

The Lucky Money products have been well received both domestically and internationally, with a total sales of around 1,000,000 since Y 2000, according to Treasury officials.

为了庆祝即将到来的春节，美国财政部于周二发行了两款“吉利钱”：“玉兔”和“金狮”。

美国财政部财务长罗西．里奥斯在印钞局的一个新闻发布会上正式展示了“吉利钱”系列的最新产品。

兔年是中国阴历中的十二生肖年之一。“玉兔”吉利钱设计精美，上面画有中国特色的装饰性图案，并用烫有金字的大红卡片包装。

“玉兔”吉利钱每张面值为一美元，编号以8888开头，在许多中国人眼中，这组数字是好运兴旺的象征。这些一美元纸币均是未流通新币。

“金狮”吉利钱每张面值为十美元，编号也是以8888开头。自从美国印钞局2000年发行这种吉利钱以来，这是首次使用十美元纸币。

“金狮”吉利钱用防酸的透明聚合物保护套封起来，贴在一个装饰精美的折叠卡片上。卡片上的图案处处透着中国命理学的玄机。

里奥斯说：“传说中，狮子象征着力量，能保护人们远离灾难。人们还相信灯笼（吉利钱封套上画有灯笼）发出的熠熠光辉能引导他们走向富裕和幸福。”

这两种吉利钱将于周三开始发售。“玉兔”吉利钱售价5.95美元，限售88888份。“金狮”吉利钱售价28.88美元，限售8888套。

财政部官员说“吉利钱”在美国国内外都很受欢迎，从2000年首次发行以来已累计销售约100万套。

Vocabulary:

zodiac symbol: 生肖符号

numerology: the branch of knowledge that deals with the occult significance of numbers（命理学）

polymer: a natural or artificial compound consisting of large molecules(= groups of atoms) that are made from combinations of small simple molecules（聚合物；聚合体）

sleeve: a stiff paper or cardboard envelope（保护套）