A unnamed unemployed student, who had been metal detecting Eric Robinson's farm at Crosby Garrett for the past seven years, struck lucky when he dug up 67 pieces of a Roman bronze cavalry parade helmet in May. After it had been reconstructed under the supervision of Christie's, the helmet sold for £2,281,250 (est £300k) including premium to an unknown bidder. A Cumbria museum, which raised £1.7m, failed to secure the helmet, with antiquities dealer James Ede bidding on its behalf.
 
Christie's catalogued the lot as:
'Composed of two sections, helmet and mask; the tinned bronze face-mask with idealised youthful features, the openwork eyes with irises formed of delicate perforated rings . . . the bronze helmet in the form of a Phrygian-style cap, with curved tip, surmounted by a solid-cast griffin . . . 16 in high . . . Provenance: Discovered by a metal detectorist, Crosby Garrett, Cumbria, May 2010. Lot Notes: This . . . is one of only three that have been discovered in Britain complete with face-masks . . . is an extraordinary example of Roman metalwork at its zenith. The Crosby Garrett Helmet sets itself apart by virtue of its beauty, workmanship and completeness, particularly the face-mask, which was found virtually intact . . . The polished white-metal surface of the Crosby Garrett face-mask would have provided a striking contrast to the original golden-bronze colour of the hair and Phrygian cap . . . Arrian of Nicomedia . . . describes how the cavalrymen were divided into two teams which took turns to attack and defend. He suggests that the wearing of these helmets was a mark of rank or excellence in horsemanship.'
 
The Portable Antiquities Scheme web site stated:
'The helmet consists of a face mask, a head piece with a griffin figurine crest attachment. It was found in 33 fragments, with 34 smaller fragments found in association. Many of the fragments were found to join and the restored helmet is now c. 90% complete . . . Although no Roman garrisons are documented in the immediate vicinity, the findspot lies in an area with a substantial Roman military presence on a key route leading to the northern frontier.'
 
"It is a pity that the object was restored before there was any opportunity to examine it scientifically, as that would have given us more information about how it came to be in the ground," said Roger Bland, Head of Portable Antiquities and Treasure at the British Museum.
 
An expert from the British Museum wrote, 'The griffin (on top of the helmet) was the companion of Nemesis, goddess of fate, both of whom were often associated with gladiatorial combat. As a symbolic agent of death, its image was entirely appropriate for the finial of a helmet worn by an elite cavalryman of the Roman army.'
 
There was some concern on detecting and archaeology blogs about the provenance and restoration of the mask.
 
David Gill wrote on the PAS blog, 'The "33 fragments, with 34 smaller fragments found in association" have been cleaned, conserved, brought together, restored and presented. Who was the conservator?' Keith Bennett wrote, 'Do you realy expect us to believe this was dug up in the UK????'
 
In Farmer's Weekly, the Country Landowner's Association predicted a surge in metal detecting as a result of the sale and cautioned farmers. ""While such finds are extremely rare, no-one can be certain what is underneath any bit of land, and I'm sure that this element of excitement helps to make the activity so popular," said Douglas Chalmers of CLA. "I cannot emphasis too strongly the importance of taking professional advice, to avoid costly legal battles in the future, and to discourage trespass."