Solution: The Coin Collector’s Dilemma Riddle

Solving the “Coin Collector’s Dilemma” Riddle

First try solving this puzzle on your own and comment in the post -> The Coin Collector’s Dilemma

⚠️ The Riddle:

A woman goes to a coin collector and says:

"I will give you one gold coin if you can solve my riddle. Otherwise, you must give me two gold coins."

The collector agrees.

She says:

"I have a pouch with 10 coins.

All of them are either pure gold or fake.

If I give you any 3 coins from the pouch, at least one will be fake.

Now tell me: what is the maximum number of gold coins I could have in my pouch?"

What is the answer?

🧩 Answer?

2 gold coins.

💡 Explanation:

Let’s break it down:

If any 3 coins contain at least one fake, that means there can’t be any combination of 3 coins that are all real.

So the maximum number of real coins you can have is 2, because with 3 or more, you could select a group of 3 real coins — violating the rule.

🌱 Real-Life Lesson?

When solving problems, it's important to pay close attention to small details.

Sometimes, a tiny clue or condition can tell you more than what seems obvious at first.

Instead of guessing based on what looks likely, try to think about what must always be true.

This kind of careful thinking helps you avoid mistakes and find the right answers, even in tricky situations.

Small rules can lead to big insights.

🔍 More Like This?

I post minimalistic logic puzzles like this — often in 10-second reels.
Some are funny. Some make your brain hurt (in a good way).

👉 Subscribe for new puzzles + answers weekly

🎁 Grab your FREE Puzzle Vault (10 mind-bending riddles with answers!) [Coming soon]

The Riddle Room