Florence Jackson is first child to design UK coin

Kids
Oct 14, 2009 /


Florence Jackson is first child to design UK coin

MUMBAI: The British Broadcasting Corporation‘s childrens channel CBBC‘s show Blue Peter has announced that nine-year-old Florence Jackson from Bristol is the winner of the Royal Mint‘s ‘Design a 50p Coin‘ competition.

Jackson will be the first child in British history to design a circulation coin.
Her winning design depicts the high-jump, celebrating the Olympic and Paralympic discipline of Athletics. The design will feature on millions of 50 pence coins in people‘s change next year.

Florence won the opportunity to see her design appear on 50p coins after she took part in one of Blue Peter‘s most important competitions, beating over 17,000 other entries.

Said Florence, "I am so excited. 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 the high-jump because I‘d watched it on TV before and thought it looked fun. It was amazing to visit the Royal Mint and see my picture turned into a coin. I can‘t wait to see it in my pocket money!"
 

Commented Blue Peter editor Tim Levell, "Blue Peter prides itself on epic competitions but Florence‘s achievement is perhaps the most significant in Blue Peter‘s history. Her design will not only go into circulation next year but – as the first coin designed by a child – will end up in museums for thousands of years to come. The fun and vitality of her drawing won over all the judges and is a clear and well-deserved winner."

Florence was joined by Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis and Blue Peter presenter Andy Akinwolere at the Royal Mint to strike her first coin.

Lewis said, "Florence has done all Olympians and Paralympians proud. Her design is simple and effective and I‘m honoured to say that 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."

Newsletter Subscription