Roman Cavalry Helmet Unearthed at Cumbia Showcased.

[Big Orange]

This is more interesting than the small fortune of Roman coins that were reported the other month:

Rare Roman helmet goes to auction

13 September 2010 Last updated at 17:52 Help A metal detector enthusiast in Cumbria has discovered a rare Roman bronze helmet complete with face-mask.

It is believed to be one of only three of its kind to be found in Britain.

The helmet would have been worn, possibly with colourful streamers attached, as a mark of excellence by Roman soldiers at sport parades.

Described as a "hugely important discovery", it is now expected to fetch £300,000 at Christie's Antiquities auction in London on 7 October.

The Crosby Garrett Helmet has been named after the hamlet in Cumbria where it was found in a field in May.

BBC (important video showing horseman's helmet in the link)

[Thanas]

Yeah, that is a lovely helmet. It is not that important for historical purposes (we have descriptions of them already), but it is another example of Roman horse sports and their connection to festivities.

[Twigler]

small revive - the Helmet has been sold to a private buyer for £2 million:

A bid by a Cumbrian museum to buy a rare Roman helmet has failed - after an anonymous phone bidder bought it for £2m.
The helmet was unearthed by a metal detector enthusiast in Crosby Garrett, near Kirkby Stephen, in May.
It had been expected to fetch up to £300,000 when it went under the hammer at Christie's in London.
Carlisle's Tullie House was one of the bidders but was not successful.
However, the museum said it had not given up hopes of being able to keep the helmet in Cumbria.

Rest of the article at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-11489189

[Slacker]

I don't know if I would call that a failed sale. Two million pounds is enough to take care of the guy who found the helmet rather well, even after whatever taxes he has to pay are taken care of.

[ray245]

I would like to see if the private owner of the helmet has the knowledge to preserve it properly. It will be ironic if the helmet further degrade as a result of poor handling.

[xt828]

Slacker, the article wasn't calling it a failed sale, it was saying that the local museum failed to win the helmet.

[LaCroix]

I think anyone able to put up 2 million Sterling for such a thing is able to spend a bit more to keep it properly. You know, like a sealed chamber or something, filled with some non-reactive gas to keep oxygen away. A bit of investment, true, but probably not in the 1-2% ballpark of the purchase.

[Slacker]

Slacker, the article wasn't calling it a failed sale, it was saying that the local museum failed to win the helmet.

Oh jeez, I fail at reading comprehension.