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.

(Read by Nelly Min. Nelly Min is a journalist at the China Daily Website.)