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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Iosephus, post: 2417198, member: 71955&quot;]<b>Cardinal Jules Mazarin</b></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://www.renaissancemedals.com/pics/1068.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><i>Cast Bronze, 97.2 mm Ø, 300.5 g</i></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Obverse:</b> 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 .</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Reverse:</b> Hercules and Atlas holding the world. Draped over the shoulder of Hercules is the hide of the Nemean lion. Around, HI DVO ILLE SOLVS .</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Inscriptions:</b></p><p><br /></p><p>IULIUS SANCTÆ ROMANÆ ECCLESIÆ CARDINALIS MAZARINUS </p><p><i>Jules Mazarin, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church</i></p><p><br /></p><p>HI DUO ILLE SOLUS </p><p><i>These Two Alone</i></p><p><br /></p><p>Cardinal Jules Raymond Mazarin was born Giulio Raimondo Mazzarino on July 14, 1602, in Pescina.&nbsp; He was raised in Rome, and later attended the Pontifical Gregorian University there.&nbsp; Mazarin pursued a military career under Filippo I Colonna and his diplomatic ability was soon brought to the attention of Pope Urban VIII.&nbsp; He eventually became papal vice-legate at Avignon and nuncio extraordinary in France.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; Mazarin soon found favor with the king, the court, and Anne of Austria, the queen consort.&nbsp; He returned to Rome in 1636, and was made a cardinal in 1641.&nbsp; Upon the death of Richelieu, Mazarin returned to Paris in 1642 and succeeded him as Chief Minister of France.&nbsp; After the death of Louis XIII, Mazarin helped Anne to expand her power during her regency for her young son, Louis XIV.&nbsp; He continued in this role, effectively co-ruling France with Anne, until his death on March 9, 1661.</p><p><br /></p><p>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.&nbsp; The meaning of the initials on the obverse under the bust is unknown.&nbsp; Likewise, the identity of the artist of this piece is also unknown.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Reference:</b> Trésor de Numismatique, Médailles Française 1, Plate LXVI, No. 5[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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