ON the day that King Charles III was presented with the Scottish crown jewels in Edinburgh, the Times can reveal the discovery of an amazing historical artefact dating back to the reign of the second King Charles - in an Irvine plumber's yard.
The object has been identified as the Seal of King Charles II, dating back to his reign in the 1660s.
And it is now set to be handed over to the North Ayrshire Heritage Centre in Saltcoats.
The relic, which has been damaged over the years, was discovered at Andrew Hood's Plumbers, a long-established Irvine firm.
Craig Hood, who took over the firm when his father Andrew died 42 years ago, contacted Irvine historian Billy Kerr, who set out to identify the mystery object.
After much research, Billy realised it was the seal of King Charles II - and was almost certainly part of Irvine's old Tollbooth, which had been demolished back in the 1860's to make way for the current Townhouse.
It will be formally handed over to the Heritage Centre for care in the coming weeks.
Andrew Hood was a former president of Irvine Burns Club.
Son Craig told the Times: "My father told me about it years before his death. It had been wrapped in bubble wrap all this time. We had no idea where it came from.
"I am glad it is now going somewhere they can look after it, preserve it and allow people to see it."
Billy added: "I was approached by Craig who told me he had an old Irvine artefact lying in a shed.
"It had been there for at least 40 years, so he was now wondering what to do with it.
"His father said it came from the Tolbooth, that was demolished in the 1860s, so I went along to have a look at it.
"I took a few photos, went home and did a bit of research.
"After a few days of banging my head against a brick wall I stumbled across what this was - the coat of arms of Charles II.
"This stone would have been on display in the Tolbooth, probably a courtroom piece.
"Sadly this small part of history is now a sorry sight, but it did once belong to the Royal Burgh of Irvine.
"Charles II had similar coats of arms, and this one was his when he was in Scotland."
Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at the end of the English Civil War.
His son was proclaimed King of Scotland in January 1651, and tried to regain the English throne, but was defeated by Cromwell's Roundhead forces and fled to the continent.
After Cromwell's death in 1658, Charles II was finally proclaimed King of Scotland, England and Ireland in 1660.
He ruled until his death in 1685, when he was succeeded by his younger brother, James (James II of England and King James VII of Scotland).
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