A metal-detecting enthusiast who unearthed one of Britain's most significant Iron Age hoards was yesterday celebrating another valuable find.
David Booth discovered a media-eval seal dating back 800 years in a field in Stirlingshire.
The well-preserved silver antique, decorated with a small stone carving or "intaglio" from Roman times, could be worth several thousands.
Safari park keeper Mr Booth made the find less than a year after his hobby led him to four 2,000-year-old gold neckbands or "torcs".
Described as one of the most important hoards of Iron Age Britain, the father-of-one is still waiting to find out what reward he will get for handing over the treasure. He said Scotland's Treasure Trove unit, which is responsible for archaeological finds, was delighted to hear about his latest success. Mr Booth, chief game warden at Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling, said: "They said it looks like a lovely find, that it's in lovely condition and they are looking forward to getting it in to have a look at it. "I was really excited when I found it - I thought it looked a bit special.
"I was probably more excited than when I found the torcs, to be honest."
The inch-long, oval-shaped mediaeval seal matrix features a circular inscription - probably the owner's name - around a carving of a Roman figure in red jasper.
The seal has a hook at the back and Mr Booth said it would probably have hung from the neck when not being used to stamp letters. The stone is likely to have been recycled from a Roman ring and may date back to the late first century. The metal-detecting fan thought he had come across some lead and could not believe his luck when he dug up the ornate seal.
Mr Booth found the torcs last September on his first outing with a metal detector. Under Scots law, the Crown can claim any archaeological objects found in Scotland. Finders have no ownership rights and must report any objects to the Treasure Trove Unit. But Mr Booth may receive a reward equal to the value of the jewellery and the seal. He said: "I just love doing it, I didn't take it up for monetary gain.