Cardinal Jules Mazarin Cast Bronze, 97.2 mm Ø, 300.5 g Obverse: Bust of Jules Mazarin, facing right, wearing zucchetto and hooded cassock with square collar and tied tassels. Around, IVLIVS · S · R · E · CARD · MAZARINVS . Beneath the bust, F · C · A · G · A · E . Reverse: Hercules and Atlas holding the world. Draped over the shoulder of Hercules is the hide of the Nemean lion. Around, HI DVO ILLE SOLVS . Inscriptions: IULIUS SANCTÆ ROMANÆ ECCLESIÆ CARDINALIS MAZARINUS Jules Mazarin, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church HI DUO ILLE SOLUS These Two Alone Cardinal Jules Raymond Mazarin was born Giulio Raimondo Mazzarino on July 14, 1602, in Pescina. He was raised in Rome, and later attended the Pontifical Gregorian University there. Mazarin pursued a military career under Filippo I Colonna and his diplomatic ability was soon brought to the attention of Pope Urban VIII. He eventually became papal vice-legate at Avignon and nuncio extraordinary in France. After being dismissed by Urban VIII in January of 1636, he entered the service of France, working with Cardinal Richelieu, chief minister to King Louis XIII. Mazarin soon found favor with the king, the court, and Anne of Austria, the queen consort. He returned to Rome in 1636, and was made a cardinal in 1641. Upon the death of Richelieu, Mazarin returned to Paris in 1642 and succeeded him as Chief Minister of France. After the death of Louis XIII, Mazarin helped Anne to expand her power during her regency for her young son, Louis XIV. He continued in this role, effectively co-ruling France with Anne, until his death on March 9, 1661. The reverse design and inscription can be interpreted to mean that Mazarin alone can sustain the burden which requires both Hercules and Atlas together to shoulder. The meaning of the initials on the obverse under the bust is unknown. Likewise, the identity of the artist of this piece is also unknown. Reference: Trésor de Numismatique, Médailles Française 1, Plate LXVI, No. 5
Sorry to resurrect a dead thread, but I just found an excellent article on this piece: https://www.cairn.info/revue-dix-septieme-siecle-2008-4-page-677.htm
Thanks for posting this link! That looks like a very interesting article, and I look forward to reading it (with the help of Google Translate).
