Washington, D.C., December 3, 2013 (Xinhua) — The U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday unveiled its latest seasonal addition to its one-dollar- note “Lucky Money” collection to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year of Horse in 2014.
US Treasurer Rosie Rios displays the “Year of Horse” lucky money note during a press conference in Washington D.C.,
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The “Year of Horse” lucky money note features an uncalculated one-dollar note with a serial number beginning with “8888,” said U. S. Treasurer Rosie Rios.
The Treasury will offer 88,888 “Year of Horse” one-dollar notes, available for sale from Wednesday, she said. The “Year of the Horse” is one of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs associated with the Chinese Lunar Calendar, where 12 animals represent a rotating 12-year cycle. Many Chinese believe their fate and character is tied to the zodiac symbols in the year in which they were born. The Number 8 is also seen by many of the Chinese and Asian communities as a symbol of good fortune. |
The lucky money product is designed with decorative Chinese symbolism and is packaged in an red folder with gold foil and embossing.
To bring up the popular Chinese Lunar New Year lucky money product line is both “a monetary event” and “a cultural event,” said Rios.
She said there has been such an interest and demand for the products, which were “sold out almost every year.”
“We also enjoy the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year as well,” she said.
The “Year of the Dragon” lucky money product, with a record of 108,888 notes for sale, was sold out within a week in November 2011.
The Lucky Money products have been well received both domestically and internationally, since the Bureau of Engraving and Printing introduced such kind of products in 2000.