Colston's Pupil Designs Official Olympic Fifty Pence Coin
By Al_Shaw | Monday, January 25, 2010, 11:53
A pupil at Colston's Primary School, has
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Blue Peter 50p
become the first child ever to work with the Royal Mint to
design a UK coin. Florence Jackson, aged 9, took part in a Blue Peter
competition to design a coin for the 2012 Olympics and her design was
selected from over 17,000 other entries.
An
excited Florence told her school web site, "It was a real surprise to
win. I'd never entered a Blue Peter competition before, but really
wanted to take part because I love drawing. I chose high-jump because I'd
watched it on TV before and thought it looked fun."
Florence was taken to the Royal Mint to see her picture being turned
into a coin. She was joined by Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis and
Blue Peter presenter Andy Akinwolere. The design is only the 17th to
appear on the UK's 50p and the new coins will be in general
circulation from March of this year.
Denise Lewis said of the design: "Florence has done all Olympians and Paralympians
proud. Her design is simple and effective and I'm honoured to say I saw
it first. Florence is a very deserving winner and her coin is a great
illustration of how everyone can be a part of London 2012.
There are over 700 million 50 pence pieces in circulation in the UK.
The new Olympic design will be minted at The Royal Mint's home in
Llantrisant, South Wales.
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