We can't use pennies at all, because if we used 5 pennies, we would have to make the remaining 45 cents with only 1 or 2 coins, which is impossible. So we can use either 0, 1 or 2 quarters. 1. Suppose we don't use any quarters. Then we have to use at least 3 dimes because if we used only 2 dimes, we'd have to make the remaining 30 cents with 6 nickels, giving us 8 coins, which is not allowed. So we can use 3, 4, or 5 dimes, with the rest, if any, in nickels. That's 3 ways. 2. Suppose we use 1 quarter. Then we don't necessarily have to use any dimes, because we can make the remaining 25 cents with 5 nickels, giving us only 6 coins. So we can use 0, 1, or 2 dimes with the rest in nickels. That's 3 ways. 3. If we use 2 quarters, that's the whole 50 cents. That's 1 way. So that's a total of 3+3+1, or 7 ways. Half dollars are not in circulation anymore. But if we count having 1 half dollar, then the answer is 8. Here are all the ways, not counting the case of 1 half dollar. 1. 0 quarters, 3 dimes, and 4 nickels. 2. 0 quarters, 4 dimes, and 2 nickels. 3. 0 quarters, 5 dimes, and 0 nickels. 4. 1 quarter, 0 dimes, and 5 nickels. 5. 1 quarter, 1 dime, and 3 nickels. 6. 1 quarter, 2 dimes, and 1 nickel. 7. 2 quarters, 0 dimes, and 0 nickels. Edwin