David,
You also are ever ready with some insight. Thanks. I didn't think it all the way through on the economics of the coinage in those days. Kind of an ancient FedReserveGreenspan technique there! Just contract the supply enough to make them really want some more of the precious ONLY acceptable money and you're in business!
Ned clarified something for me offline on Pilate caring little about Jesus
until he was accused of advocating not paying taxes. I may have been off there.
Indeed, Jesus had some tax converts, Matthew(Levi) and Zacheus being famous converts. I am sure others abandoned the trade often grouped with adulterers and thieves.
Zacheus collected taxes in Jericho, which was Pilate's district.
"It must have been a significant blow to Pilate's tax-collecting administration when Zaccheaus quit. We know that there were many other tax collectors who consorted with Jesus, at Levi's house following his coversion, at Zaccheaus' house following his reform. It is not unreasonable to conclude that other (if not many other) tax collectors quit to follow Jesus, which would have given both Herod and Pilate good cause to crucify him." Ned Netterville
Just some other thoughts, that's all.
scottinalaska