双语财经新闻 第15期:美发行"吉利钱"迎兔年新年
In celebration of the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year, the U.S. Treasury Department Tuesday unveiled 2 new Lucky Money products, “Year of the Rabbir and “Lucky Lion,
U.S. 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).
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。The “Year of the Rabbit” is one of the 12 zodiac symbols1 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.
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。
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.
“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。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 produets in 2000.
“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。The “Lucky Lion” is attractively presented in a decorative folder capturing the significance of Chinese numerology2 and is encased in a protective, clear, acid -free polymer3 sleeve4.
“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。“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.
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。”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 Uon” is limited to 8,888 and is available for the price of $28.88.
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。The Lucky Money products have been well received both domestically and internationally, with a total sales of around 1,000,000 since 2000 according to Treasury officials.
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。
