A rare penny dating back to the early 13th century has been unearthed in Perthshire.
Metal detecting enthusiast Phil Hannah came across the clipped short cross coin from the Henry III era while scouring land at Pitcairngreen, near Almondbank.
The coin, which was formally identified by currency experts, is believed to have been minted in Canterbury around 800 years ago.
It had been cut in half, or clipped, which was a highly illegal practice commonplace in the 1200s. This involved cutting off parts of the coin and melting down its silver for profit.
Clipping was a serious criminal offence as it undermined the currency of the country. The problem was so serious in the 13th Century that it was regarded as high treason and punishable by death.
The penny is the latest lucky find for photographer Phil who picked up his first metal detector only three years ago.
“It’s a really interesting find,” he said. “It was very worn and I had to go online to find out exactly what it was. Luckily, someone on the website was able to identify it.”
Expert finders at DetectingScotland told Phil that the larger lettering suggests it comes from the time of Henry III, possibly between 1216-47.
Although the penny is centuries old, its value is minimal with similar coins being sold online for just a few pounds.
Two years ago Phil found a 14th Century silver talisman near the same site.
The silver fede ring, with a bezel designed as a pair of clasped hands, is the type used for betrothals with the hands representing marriage.
The ring was assessed and donated to Perth Museum and Art Gallery.
The Perth and Kinross area has proved a fertile hunting ground over the past few years with a number of other treasure trove finds reported.