I finally decided to touch on the topic of mortgages in foundations. I think this will be interesting for many to know.
In Rus’, a stash of 1-2 copper or silver coins (rarely more) was made under the so-called. «Red» or «front» corner of the house. Placed directly between logs or bricks. Most often they tried to orient the huts to the cardinal points. «Red corner» was located on the eastern side diagonally from the stove and was formed by the side and front walls. Thanks to the windows in these walls «Red Corner» was well lit. A person, entering a living space, first of all saw the icons placed there, and gave honor to the Lord, and then to the owners of the house.
Another popular explanation for this location «Red Corner» due to the fact that the sun rises in the east. The first rays fall on the faces of the saints, and then they warm the rest of the household. As the sun sets, the last ray leaves the icons.
In cities, when laying the foundation of a wealthy house, a whole treasure was placed in a corner. According to custom, a feast was held at which a coin was collected from the guests. The money collected in this way was placed in a metal box, sealed and placed in a corner of the foundation.
There was such a case. We dismantled the frame and reached the brick foundation. They destroyed the corner, and silver coins fell from there. We counted 27 fifty dollars from 1924-1926.
Another example — two silver rubles of Catherine II. Found when dismantling stones at the site of the farmstead foundation.
Have you managed to find embedded coins on foundations? Share your experience!
Read next about where and how to look.
