Shortly after being elected pope in 1667, Clement IX decided to replace the old apse of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (also known as the Liberian Basilica). This replacement was intended to house the tombs for both him and his predecessor, Alexander VII. The design for the new apse and surroundings was created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. On September 7, 1669, three gilt bronze examples of this medal were placed in the foundations as construction began. However, work was temporarily halted after Clement's death on December 9 of the same year. Construction would resume in 1672, now under the direction of Carlo Rainaldi, though the tomb of Clement IX was moved towards the entrance and the tomb of Alexander VII was placed in St. Peter's Basilica.

The reverse design of this medal derives from one of Bernini's drawings for the project. The reverse inscription derives from the first part of Psalm 25:8, Domine, dilexi decorem domus tuae (I have loved, O Lord, the beauty of thy house). The medal has traditionally been attributed to Gioacchino Francesco Travani, but Ostrow definitively reattributes it to Girolamo Lucenti.