2024 Winners

Coins and the Sea Short Story Competition

Based around the topic of 'Coins and the Sea', the Royal Mint Museum hosted a short story competition open to primary school pupils in the United Kingdom. Pupils were asked to write a creative short story of no more than 500 words on the theme.

The winning entry was written by 11-year-old Ione Knight. Ione’s moving story ‘The Girl with Hair like Fire’ explores the fate of a famous Sea Captain and his daughter.

Her story captured the imagination of our judge and public historian, broadcaster, and author, Greg Jenner. As part of her prize, her story was illustrated by guest artist David Lawrence.

She also won a set of coins for herself and £5,000 worth of equipment and books for her school library.

You can find all the winning stories below.