A SCHOOLBOY has made history by becoming the first teenager to design a British coin.

Theo Crutchley-Mack, a pupil at Rishworth School, near Ripponden, beat off thousands of pupils from across the country to create a 50p coin to mark the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The 16-year-old’s winning cycling design, which has been approved by the Queen, means he will go down in history as being the first teen to design a Royal Mint coin.

He said: “I’m absolutely amazed. The idea that in a few months’ time I will be able to go into a shop and buy something with a coin I designed is a dream come true.”

Theo’s design featured a rider racing a bike in a velodrome. A keen cyclist, he said that when he spotted the competition it seemed just right for him.

But, judges almost didn’t even get the chance to see the Cragg Vale GCSE student’s work.

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 was presented with a solid gold version of his coin during a special assembly and won £10,000 for his school.

The teenager will see 3m of his coins go into circulation along with the rest of the special Olympic series in September. Next week Theo will visit the Royal Mint and strike the first official coin, an honour usually reserved for members of the royal family.

David Knight of the Royal Mail, described the design as “outstanding”.