The answer is in the article although the author disparages it: People were able to pay their taxes in Worgl. In effect, people didn't have "free money" so muc

The answer is in the article although the author disparages it: People were able to pay their taxes in Worgl. In effect, people didn't have "free money" so much as they had a tax break. They collected Worgl to offset their taxes while hoarding real money. There is no miracle here.