Henry Ernest Dudeney/Modern Puzzles/4 - Loose Cash

Modern Puzzles by Henry Ernest Dudeney: $4$

Loose Cash

What is the largest sum of money -- all in current silver coins and no four-shilling piece -- that I could have in my pocket without being able to give change for half a sovereign?

Variant

What is the largest sum of money -- all in current silver coins and no silver dollars --

that I could have in my pocket without being able to give change for a dollar, half dollar, quarter, dime or nickel?

Sources

• 1926: Henry Ernest Dudeney: Modern Puzzles ... (previous) ... (next): Arithmetical and Algebraical Problems: Money Puzzles: $4$. -- Loose Cash