Many countries shared money (12)
I believe the answer is:
commonwealth
'many countries shared money' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'shared money' is the wordplay.
'shared' becomes 'common' (similar in meaning).
'money' becomes 'wealth' (someone's wealth is how much money they have).
'common'+'wealth'='COMMONWEALTH'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for commonwealth that I've seen before include "Successor to Empire" , "Association of former British empire states" , "Period following the English Civil Wars" , "protectorate" , "Australia, say" .)