A bid by a Cumbrian museum to buy a rare Roman helmet and keep it in the county 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.

The piece, thought to have been worn by soldiers at sports events, was expected to fetch £300,000 when it went under the hammer at Christie's in London.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-11489189

http://www.news.com.au/breakin...978395#ixzz11jYde4aL



http://images.google.com/image...i=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

-the helmet mimics a civilian cap as did Greek Boetian helmets, I think they might have even looked the same.

Later, hats shaped like these were known as "liberty caps".

Fantastic piece !! The price was many times more than predicted.
My thanks to the restorers also.

Found just a few miles up the road from here.
The area had a strong Roman presence due to the manning of Hadrian's Wall.