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.