Roman helmet fetches £1.9m more than antique price guide

A bronze Roman helmet has gone under the hammer for around £1.9 million more than its antique price guide.

The item - which was sold at the auction of antiquities at Christie's in south Kensington - went for £2,281,250 after previously being valued at £300,000.

The Crosby Garrett piece is around 2,000 years old and was discovered in a field in May earlier this year.

Georgiana Aitken, head of antiquities at the auctioneer, said she could hardly believe her eyes when the item was first brought to the auction house, calling it exceptional.

"This ... has captured the imagination and the enthusiasm of everyone who has come to Christie's to admire it over the past few weeks," she added.

Last month, the Guardian noted that it was the best helmet found in Britain in more than a century and one expert even placed a £500,000 antique price guide on it.