The correct answer to this puzzle is as follows: John put into his
money-box two double florins (8s.), William a half-sovereign and a
florin (12s.), Charles a crown (5s.), and Thomas a sovereign (20s.).
There are six coins in all, of a total value of 45s. If John had 2s.
more, William 2s. less, Charles twice as much, and Thomas half as much
as they really possessed, they would each have had exactly 10s.