Rare Roman helmet found in open field auctioned in London for more than $3 million
By APThursday, October 7, 2010
Roman helmet auctioned for more than $3 million
LONDON — A rare Roman helmet found in an open field in Cumbria has been sold by a London auction house for nearly 2.3 million pounds ($3.6 million) — about eight times more than had been expected.
The nearly 2,000-year-old cavalry parade helmet is one of only three that have been found. The other two are in British museums.
The helmet was sold Thursday in London with six serious bidders pushing the price far higher than had been predicted. The winning bidder remains anonymous.
The helmet was found in May by someone using a metal detector. The finder, a male in his 20s, has not been named.
The find is not covered by England’s treasure law, which would have given British museums a special claim to the object.
