Crossword Genius

Countries with pounds and shillings (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lands

'countries' is the definition.
('land' can be a synonym of 'country')

'with pounds and shillings' is the wordplay.
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'pounds' becomes 'l' (L can represent the monetary pound**).
'shillings' becomes 's'.
'l' put next to 'and' is 'land'.
'land'+'s'='LANDS'

(Other definitions for lands that I've seen before include "Obtains" , "Comes ashore" , "Alights" , "See 21" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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