I realize that the suggestion is in its infancy but I am hoping for people to see that perhaps it is Bitcoin that has failed in the details. I wonder if the inventor pushed the final date way into the future so he wouldn't have to rip his eyes out when it crashes. I mean why not 20 years? Of course it may crash way before 2140.

Doesn't the blockchain show where the new bitcoins are awarded? Isn't the node a party to that transaction? If so, you should be able to get a minimum count (just remove duplicates).