美國財政部發行"吉利錢"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.
爲了慶祝即將到來的春節，美國財政部於週二發行了兩款“吉利錢”：“玉兔”和“金獅”。
美國財政部財務長羅西•里奧斯在印鈔局的一個新聞發佈會上正式展示了“吉利錢”系列的最新產品。
兔年是中國陰曆中的十二生肖年之一。“玉兔”吉利錢設計精美，上面畫有中國特色的裝飾性圖案，並用燙有金字的大紅卡片包裝。
“玉兔”吉利錢每張面值爲一美元，編號以8888開頭，在許多中國人眼中，這組數字是好運興旺的象徵。這些一美元紙幣均是未流通新幣。
“金獅”吉利錢每張面值爲十美元，編號也是以8888開頭。自從美國印鈔局2000年發行這種吉利錢以來，這是首次使用十美元紙幣。
“金獅”吉利錢用防酸的透明聚合物保護套封起來，貼在一個裝飾精美的摺疊卡片上。卡片上的圖案處處透着中國命理學的玄機。
里奧斯說：“傳說中，獅子象徵着力量，能保護人們遠離災難。人們還相信燈籠（吉利錢封套上畫有燈籠）發出的熠熠光輝能引導他們走向富裕和幸福。”
這兩種吉利錢將於週三開始發售。“玉兔”吉利錢售價5.95美元，限售88888份。“金獅”吉利錢售價28.88美元，限售8888套。
財政部官員說“吉利錢”在美國國內外都很受歡迎，從2000年首次發行以來已累計銷售約100萬套。
Vocabulary:
zodiac symbol: 生肖符號
numerology: the branch of knowledge that deals with the occult significance of numbers（命理學）
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；聚合體）
sleeve: a stiff paper or cardboard envelope（保護套）
