On 16/10/2013 12:24, Spider wrote:

You wouldn't think twice if it was
10 pence (that) was stolen ... It is only because we say "ten thousand
poundS that we (wrongly read it as a plural).


Not sure about that - pence is an implicit plural, I think. Plural
(along with pennies) of penny.

Just as in times gone by you would say tuppence or two pennies, but not
one pence.

Although I agree with the rest of your reasoning and the fact that it is
'was' and not 'were'.

--
regards
andy