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it seems the highest rates were during Jimmy Carter, 20%, right before Reagan. In 70's FED has learned(?) that businesses manage prices according to inflation expectation, not on actual inflation. So that FED should not move interest rates up and down like crazy.
fed rates chart
People don't like inflation as much as high tax rates. But if the goal is working economy, we have to choose some way. In 50's Average US Joe could easily pay house mortgage in 10 years, support his wife at home with 4 kids. Same as Yugo Avg. Joe could buy the same house and after 10 years repay the debt with one baked piggy. Both ways provided money velocity needed for economy to work, not sitting in bitcoin or gold or stocks.
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/M2V

It seems we've wandered into the meaning of money. Which type of money, inflationary or deflationary, would more satisfy the requirements of UBI. Maybe we should have started off with the requirements?

While most people see inflation as evil and not income redistribution, then deflationary currency is better. But government have to collect taxes from those making profit (earnings after investments) to provide UBI. This is much more expensive than just print new currency. But how can you suppress the greed of people and make them understand the function of inflation to redistribute income? Difficult task. So deflationary + impose high tax rates in progressive rate is likely more acceptable for majority.
If you would be in China, you could try both approaches in 2 districts per 5 million people and wait 'n see.