Gallia. Massalia. 520-500 BC. AR Hemidrachm (2.69g). Auriol aa1; Tradart 6.33 (this coin). Old cabinet tone. Exceptional for issue. Choice extremely fine. From the Sadijas collection; Auctiones 1989 (18) lot 885; Bank Leu 1977 (18) lot 113; probably from the 1867 Auriol hoard (IGCH 2352)

A medium-sized town near Marseilles (France), Auriol is where farmers have grown olive trees and vines for centuries. One of the stories of the find relates that in 1867 a farmer hit a large stone while plowing his field. With the help of his son, he removed it, founding a jar containing 2,137 silver Greek coins (about 1,500g). He tried to bargain away his discovery for a gold watch... but was offered only a silver watch instead and so broke off the negotiations with the watchmaker. Thus the coins were saved from being melted!