First Ladies Get Golden Tribute on New Coins(28261)-英语教育-(65)-21英语网

　　FOR the first time in history, the US Mint is dedicating a series of commemorative coins to the accomplishments of women - the nation's first ladies. 　　Starting with Martha Washington, wife of the first president, George Washington, all the first ladies are scheduled to be honoured on a series of gold coins that will be companions to a new series of US$1coins that the Mint is producing to honour the presidents. 　　The first ladies coins for next year are all coming out in May just before Americans celebrate Mother's Day with the Mint hoping to generate sales of the coins, expected to cost more than US$300 each, tied to the special day. There will be a less expensive bronze medal offered for US$3 to US$4. 　　The designs on the first coins show the first ladies were an energetic group. Martha Washington, wife of George Washington, is depicted mending a soldier's uniform while Dolley Madison, wife of James Madison, is shown in front of the famous Gilbert Stuart portrait of Washington that she saved before the British burned the White House in the War of 1812. 　　

(China Daily Dec. 21, 2006)

　　日前，美国铸币局正致力于铸造一系列纪念币，来纪念国家第一夫人的成就。这是女性头像首次出现在美国货币上。　　以第一任总统夫人，乔治华盛顿的夫人玛莎华盛顿为首，美国所有第一夫人的肖像都将依次登上金质纪念币，铸币局同时会铸造一系列新的一美元硬币纪念历届美国总统。　　第一夫人纪念币将于明年5月母亲节前夕上市，铸币局希望借此机会促销硬币，据预计，由于这个特殊的日子，每枚金质硬币价值将超过300美元。铜质总统夫人纪念币的价值较低，约为3至4美元。　　在设计上，纪念币注重体现出第一夫人们是一个富有活力的群体。硬币上的第一任总统夫人，乔治华盛顿的夫人玛莎华盛顿正在为一名士兵缝补制服;而詹姆斯麦迪逊的妻子多利麦迪逊出现在著名的吉尔伯特斯图亚特创作的华盛顿肖像前。1812年英美战争期间，多利在白宫被英军纵火时将该画救出。