美國財政部發行龍年“吉利錢” 發行量創紀錄

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.

爲了慶祝即將到來的中國農曆春節，美國財政部於本週二發行了龍年“吉利錢”，面額爲一美元。吉利錢以中國傳統文化最具代表性的生肖圖像爲特色，爲人們送上一份特別的節日祝福。

美國財政部官員羅茜•里奧斯在造幣和印鈔局舉辦的新聞發佈會上展示了“吉利錢”系列的最新產品。

她說：“龍是最受人歡迎的生肖象徵符號，造幣和印鈔局此次將發行108888套龍年吉利錢，創下生肖吉利錢發行紀錄。”

2012年版“吉利錢”均爲未流通的新紙幣，面值一美元，序列號以“8888”開頭。在中國，數字8代表“發財”。吉利錢設計精美，飾有中國特色的裝飾性圖案，並用紅色套封包裝。

龍年是中國農曆中的十二生肖年之一。很多中國人認爲自己的命運和所屬的生肖有關。龍年代表着財運和興盛。

吉利錢將於本週三發售，按照購買數量不同，每套吉利錢售價爲3.95美元至5.95美元不等。

自2000年美國造幣和印鈔局首次發行以來，“吉利錢”在美國國內和國際市場一直備受歡迎。