Soft junk is an old name for fur,which in the 15th - first half of the 18th century was used as a running product, and also as a monetary equivalent. It was shot from mammals with valuable fur. The main way of extraction is hunting, which was called in Russia a fur-bearing industry.
However, such animals were also often grown onspecial fur farms. Noteworthy is the fact that the rest of the beast, as a rule, did not interest our ancestors: exceptional value was represented by the fur itself, which was in great demand not only in Russia, but also in other countries.
Soft junk is the name thatwas used to refer to not raw but made-up skins. Since fur was one of the main articles not only of domestic but also foreign trade, it was also the main unit of taxation for the peoples that were part of the Russian state.
First of all, we are talking about Siberia, whichis rich in a fur animal. Fur was divided into two categories, which was reflected in the code of laws drawn up in the 19th century. It could be ordinary (skins of squirrels, scribes, ermines) and expensive (we are talking about fox skins).
Soft junk is the main article not only of trade, but also of taxation. It has already been said that the tsarist government collected yasak from the peoples of Siberia and the Far North.
In addition, up to the 18th century this taxwas also levied on the Volga tribes. It is known that the purpose of mastering Siberia was precisely the receipt of expensive furs of sables, martens, foxes and other animals. This product was an important part of the replenishment of the royal treasury. The fact that the collection was dealt with by a special Siberian order, and in the 18th century - by the imperial cabinet, shows how important the importance attached to the power of this article is.
Thus, the question of what was called in Russiasoft junk, should be considered in the context of its economic history and the development of Siberia. Also, it should be borne in mind that fur was often used as royal grants to serving people. From here went the famous expression of the award of a fur coat from the king's shoulder. However, the tax seemed to be very difficult for many, therefore, requests were frequently made to replace the collection of fur with cash loans. Gradually, the government began to shift from a levy to a financial levy. So, soft junk is an important part of the Rus' economy in the Middle Ages.
