1858 Hartford, Connecticut Putnam Phalanx Medal. Silver. 37 mm. MS-62 (PCGS).<strong>Obv:</strong> Facing bust of Revolutionary War hero Major General Israel Putnam with name ISRAEL PUTNAM above and inscription DARED TO LEAD WHERE ANY DARED TO FOLLOW below. <strong>Rev:</strong> Standing soldier flanked by banners inscribed ORGANIZED / 1858, inscriptions PUTNAM PHALANX above and HARTFORD, CONN. below. Toned in blended olive-gray, pearl gray and steel, direct lighting calls forth iridescent undertones of gold, powder blue and pale pink. The quasi-military Putnam Phalanx was originally formed in 1858 as a ceremonial honor guard. It functioned as a social club in Connecticut, was incorporated on March 9, 1877, merged with the Connecticut National Guard in 1931, and by 2007 was declared "essentially defunct." According to our consignor, only two silver impressions of this medallic type are known.
