In the time of Reformation the Protestants produced offensive for the Pope medals with the inscription "Pope power is unpleasant for God".Those original caricatures were distributed around Germany, France, and England. Pope supporters, in revenge, issued anti-Calvin medals on which Huguenots with wolf's heads craved to swallow France. In France carnival traditions were widely spread, that is why for every carnival special lead medals were coined in honour of supreme buffoons. On one of them a pope of fools in tiara and with a cross accompanied by two jesters and two figures in doctors' caps was presented. On the reverse side - a figure of Stupidity with a rattle and kneeled Cardinal.

Once an August the Saxon's lover, a countess of Kozel was awarded a medal-caricature; on one side of it two Cupids were coined, while on the reverse side - an act of hen and rooster's love. This "reward" reflected citizens' attitude towards this affair, and at the same time the will of August's political opponents.

The tradition of "giving" satiric awards was kept by "Krokodil" editorial staff. It was initiated by the first editor-in-chief K. Eremeev who suggested to reward bureaucrats, procrastinators, and red-tapists. Later the artists began to look for "heroes" abroad. In 1951 M. Abramov designed a medal for imperialists: the order "Fig leaf" for American imperialists to hide war preparations; "Honourary Instigator" for W. Churchill and the supporters of Cold war policy; "Birch Cross" - for German revenge-seekers. 1967 was announced the International year of Human Rights, so Y. Fedorov designed a medal to award oppressors of human freedoms. At the same time some awards for "labour" were created: to reward bodgers and lazy-bones.

In foreign countries humourous awards are more popular. Every year Polish children reward writers, poets, actors, and artists with "The Order of Smile". Russian children give their favourite actress Rina Zelenaya a unique medal "To Smile".

Caricaturists designed medals with portraits of their colleagues.