A West Yorkshire boy 50 pence design has been chosen from more than 3,000 entries to become a new 50p coin inspired by the Olympic Games. Theo Crutchley-Mack, 16, from Halifax, said it was "absolutely amazing" that his picture of a cyclist in a velodrome was chosen by the Royal Mint. Theo's coin is the second in a series of 29 officially licensed commemorative Olympic 50p coins. The first was created by nine-year-old Florence Jackson and unveiled in October last year. Each coin in the series depicts a different Olympic and Paralympic sport, with the remaining 27 coins to be announced later this year.
Dave Knight, head of commemorative coins at the Royal Mint, explained the judges' choice.
"It's a very good design, irrespective of Theo's age, it is very good," he said.
"It is technically very proficient, and he has really captured the essence of speed and cycling in general," he said.
Theo design was also seen and approved by the Queen. Up to three million of Theo's coins will be released into circulation later this year. Theo will receive a unique gold coin featuring his own artwork and will be invited to see his design being transformed into actual UK coins at the Royal Mint. His school will also receive a £10,000. The teenager, who is a keen cyclist himself, described how the picture had been lost under a pile of papers before his mother found it and encouraged him to send it in to the competition.
Theo said: “I thought the chances of me winning were very slim, so I nearly didn’t send it off.
“But my mum Sue found my design in a pile of rubbish and convinced me to send it off.
“But I’m very glad I did. I’ve made history and the thought that so many people will be able to see my design, to have my 50p coins in their pockets, is just amazing.”
Theo’s parents and grandmother were on hand to watch a giant, two metre replica of his design be unveiled on the assembly stage, stunning friends and teachers alike, who knew nothing of his momentous win.
Source: BBC News, examiner.co.uk, Royal Mint UK
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