Tommaso Rangone, called Philologus, was born in August of 1493 in Ravenna as Tommaso Giannotti. He taught philosophy and medicine at Padua and was physician to Count Guido Rangoni, from whom he received the right to bear his name. He moved to Venice in 1539, where he was a scholar, patron of the arts, and highly influential figure. On March 9, 1562, Rangone was elected guardian of S. Marco and was created knight of S. Marco on March 15, 1562, by Doge Girolamo Priuli. Rangone died on September 10, 1577, in Venice. This medal is a later version of one lacking the date on the obverse and with a simpler obverse inscription indicating only his name.

The reverse scene represents the mythical creation of the Milky Way. As Hercules was nurtured by Juno, he fed with such vigor that Juno's milk was scattered through the heavens and to Earth, creating the Milky Way and causing lilies to grow. This reverse of the nurturing adoption of Hercules by Juno may allude to Tommaso's adoption by Guido Rangoni.