Militaria - Arms & Armor Through the Ages
Sat, Mar 22, 2025 11:00AM EDT
Lot 1009
Roman Legionary Helmet 2nd century A.D. Bronze Weisenau Type named to APPIUS of the Fourth Legion at Singidunum - Museum Quality Rare
Estimate: $15,000 - $45,000
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $10 |
| $100 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $150,000 | $10,000 |
This one-of-a-kind Roman Legionary Helmet is an extraordinary and extremely rare example of a named piece of ancient armor. Dating back to the 2nd century A.D., this Weisenau-type bronze helmet features an extended neck guard and articulated, decorated hinged cheekpieces, designed for both protection and mobility in battle. What sets this artifact apart is the punctuated inscription on the neck guard: “APPIVS°LEG°IIII°FL”, identifying it as the personal helmet of Appius of the Fourth Legion Flavia Felix. The helmet has been professionally cleaned and temporarily preserved with conservation wax, maintaining its excellent condition and beautiful patina.
The Legio IV Flavia Felix was a distinguished Roman legion stationed at Singidunum (modern-day Belgrade, Serbia), a crucial fort along the Danubian Limes. Established by Emperor Vespasian in 69 A.D., this legion played a vital role in defending the empire’s northern frontier against barbarian invasions. Singidunum was a strategic Roman stronghold, later becoming the birthplace of Emperor Jovian before being sacked by the Huns in 441 A.D. and the Avars and Slavs in 584 A.D. By the early 7th century, the fort was ultimately destroyed, marking the end of Roman influence in the region.
A named Roman helmet is an exceptionally rare find, especially one tied to a specific soldier and legion. This artifact is not just a relic of ancient warfare but a direct link to an individual warrior who served in the legions of Rome. With its well-preserved form and historical significance, this piece carries immense value, both as a museum-quality display and as a testament to the military legacy of the Roman Empire.
Provenance: A metal detector ground find in Serbia near Sirmium. Sirmium was a city in the Roman province of Pannonia, located on the Sava river, on the site of modern Sremska Mitrovica in the Vojvodina autonomous province of Serbia. First mentioned in the 4th century BC and originally inhabited by Illyrians and Celts, it was conquered by the Romans in the 1st century BC and subsequently became the capital of the Roman province of Pannonia Inferior. In 294 AD, Sirmium was proclaimed one of four capitals of the Roman Empire. It was also the capital of the Praetorian prefecture of Illyricum and of Pannonia Secunda. The site is protected as an archaeological Site of Exceptional Importance. The modern region of Syrmia (Srem or Srijem) was named after the city. Pictures of the Puglio in found condition before cleaned and conserved available. Buyer went through rigorous government approval before legally exporting this item to the US. Rare one-of-a-kind personalized Legionary Helmet in Museum quality!
This item has a strong reserve
Condition
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Very Good/Fine – Shows light to moderate wear, may have minor imperfections. A very fine example of the collectible. May also be labelled as Collector Quality.
Condition assessed using Treasure Trove Auctions’ proprietary grading scale. While we strive for accuracy, all ratings are subjective and based on our best evaluation as determined by a dedicated team of researchers, from expert appraisers to knowledgeable historians and veteran collectors. Full grading details can be found on our Authentication page for reference. For a more in-depth condition report or additional images, please contact us and we will be more than happy to oblige.
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