Ancient, British and World Coins. Tokens, Tickets and Passes. Historical and Art Medals. British and World Paper Money.

Medals Related to Motoring & Motor Sport, Spain, Hispano-Suiza, c.1955, a bronze award medal by F. Bazin, bust of Marc Birkigt left, reverse stork, named (M. Pierre Sevegrand), 68mm, edge stamped 745. Minor marks, about extremely fine, scarce; in original red fitted case (£40-60)

Marc Birkigt (1878-1953), the brilliant Geneva-born engineer, met Emilio de la Cuadra, a builder of electric motor cars in Barcelona, at the 1900 Paris Expo. He persuaded Birkigt to join him as chief engineer and the first petrol-powered cars from Birkigt designs appeared in 1903. The company changed ownership and became Fabrica La Hispano Suiza de Automovils, in 1904, later shortened to Hispano-Suiza. Birkigt’s 'Alfonso' sporting model of 1912 achieved fame but, after the outbreak of World War I, Birkigt devoted his energies to designing and producing the aluminium V8 aero-engines fitted to SE5 and other fighter aircraft, as used by Guynemer's Stork Squadron. Birkigt adopted the stork as his mascot on his post-War cars, commencing with an overhead camshaft 6 cylinder. The high point of Hispano-Suiza production was reached in the early 1930s, with huge V12 engines powering coachbuilt chassis; the company ceased car production in 1938