diff --git a/doc/fixes35.0 b/doc/fixes35.0
index 9247a412d..671f97c9c 100644
--- a/doc/fixes35.0
+++ b/doc/fixes35.0
@@ -31,6 +31,8 @@ internals: use Is_box rather than explicitly checking what it checks
 fix some unreachable messages (either make then reachable or remove them)
 can quiver coins when GOLDOBJ is defined
 make #loot behave same for GOLDOBJ as for !GOLDOBJ
+for GOLDOBJ, can pick gold up into $ when all 52 letters are in use, and
+	can pick non-gold up into unused letter when gold uses one of 52 slots
 grammar, spelling and other typos
 keep various delayed killers separate to avoid mixed up messages
 don't place randomly-placed aquatic monsters in lava on special levels
diff --git a/include/extern.h b/include/extern.h
index 2989822d6..aa2e50f84 100644
--- a/include/extern.h
+++ b/include/extern.h
@@ -798,7 +798,7 @@ E int NDECL(near_capacity);
 E int FDECL(calc_capacity, (int));
 E int NDECL(max_capacity);
 E boolean FDECL(check_capacity, (const char *));
-E int NDECL(inv_cnt);
+E int FDECL(inv_cnt, (BOOLEAN_P));
 #ifdef GOLDOBJ
 E long FDECL(money_cnt, (struct obj *));
 #endif
diff --git a/src/eat.c b/src/eat.c
index 47c943099..98b078114 100644
--- a/src/eat.c
+++ b/src/eat.c
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ register struct obj *otmp;
 
 	if (carried(otmp)) {
 	    freeinv(otmp);
-	    if (inv_cnt() >= 52) {
+	    if (inv_cnt(FALSE) >= 52) {
 		sellobj_state(SELL_DONTSELL);
 		dropy(otmp);
 		sellobj_state(SELL_NORMAL);
diff --git a/src/hack.c b/src/hack.c
index cbd5bd217..3a7e2d41e 100644
--- a/src/hack.c
+++ b/src/hack.c
@@ -2479,13 +2479,14 @@ const char *str;
 }
 
 int
-inv_cnt()
+inv_cnt(incl_gold)
+boolean incl_gold;	/* only meaningful for GOLDOBJ config */
 {
 	register struct obj *otmp = invent;
 	register int ct = 0;
 
 	while(otmp){
-		ct++;
+		if (incl_gold || otmp->invlet != GOLD_SYM) ct++;
 		otmp = otmp->nobj;
 	}
 	return(ct);
@@ -2500,13 +2501,13 @@ long
 money_cnt(otmp)
 struct obj *otmp;
 {
-        while(otmp) {
-	        /* Must change when silver & copper is implemented: */
- 	        if (otmp->oclass == COIN_CLASS) return otmp->quan;
-  	        otmp = otmp->nobj;
-	}
-	return 0;
+    while (otmp) {
+	/* Must change when silver & copper is implemented: */
+	if (otmp->oclass == COIN_CLASS) return otmp->quan;
+	otmp = otmp->nobj;
+    }
+    return 0L;
 }
-#endif
+#endif /* GOLDOBJ */
 
 /*hack.c*/
diff --git a/src/invent.c b/src/invent.c
index c2a579cb4..0600b9841 100644
--- a/src/invent.c
+++ b/src/invent.c
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ const char *drop_fmt, *drop_arg, *hold_msg;
 	    if (drop_arg) drop_arg = strcpy(buf, drop_arg);
 
 	    obj = addinv(obj);
-	    if (inv_cnt() > 52
+	    if (inv_cnt(FALSE) > 52
 		    || ((obj->otyp != LOADSTONE || !obj->cursed)
 			&& near_capacity() > prev_encumbr)) {
 		if (drop_fmt) pline(drop_fmt, drop_arg);
@@ -2932,7 +2932,7 @@ doorganize()	/* inventory organizer by Del Lamb */
 	for (let = 'A'; let <= 'Z'; ) alphabet[ix++] = let++;
 	alphabet[ix] = '\0';
 	/* for floating inv letters, truncate list after the first open slot */
-	if (!flags.invlet_constant && (ix = inv_cnt()) < 52)
+	if (!flags.invlet_constant && (ix = inv_cnt(FALSE)) < 52)
 	    alphabet[ix + (splitting ? 0 : 1)] = '\0';
 
 	/* blank out all the letters currently in use in the inventory */
@@ -3025,7 +3025,7 @@ doorganize()	/* inventory organizer by Del Lamb */
 		    if (merged(&otmp, &obj)) {
 			obj = otmp;
 			extract_nobj(obj, &invent);
-		    } else if (inv_cnt() >= 52) {
+		    } else if (inv_cnt(FALSE) >= 52) {
 			(void) merged(&splitting, &obj);    /* undo split */
 			/* "knapsack cannot accommodate any more items" */
 			Your("pack is too full.");
diff --git a/src/pickup.c b/src/pickup.c
index 9ca510734..617af5185 100644
--- a/src/pickup.c
+++ b/src/pickup.c
@@ -1168,7 +1168,8 @@ boolean telekinesis;
        availability of open inventory slot iff not already carrying one */
     if (obj->otyp == LOADSTONE ||
 	    (obj->otyp == BOULDER && throws_rocks(youmonst.data))) {
-	if (inv_cnt() < 52 || !carrying(obj->otyp) || merge_choice(invent, obj))
+	if (inv_cnt(FALSE) < 52 || !carrying(obj->otyp) ||
+		merge_choice(invent, obj))
 	    return 1;	/* lift regardless of current situation */
 	/* if we reach here, we're out of slots and already have at least
 	   one of these, so treat this one more like a normal item */
@@ -1180,11 +1181,10 @@ boolean telekinesis;
     *cnt_p = carry_count(obj, container, *cnt_p, telekinesis, &old_wt, &new_wt);
     if (*cnt_p < 1L) {
 	result = -1;	/* nothing lifted */
-    } else if (
-#ifndef GOLDOBJ
-		obj->oclass != COIN_CLASS &&
-#endif
-		inv_cnt() >= 52 && !merge_choice(invent, obj)) {
+    } else if (obj->oclass != COIN_CLASS &&
+		/* [exception for gold coins will have to change
+		    if silver/copper ones ever get implemented] */
+		inv_cnt(FALSE) >= 52 && !merge_choice(invent, obj)) {
 	Your("knapsack cannot accommodate any more items.");
 	result = -1;	/* nothing lifted */
     } else {
@@ -1625,7 +1625,7 @@ reverse_loot()
 
     if (!rn2(3)) {
 	/* n objects: 1/(n+1) chance per object plus 1/(n+1) to fall off end */
-	for (n = inv_cnt(), otmp = invent; otmp; --n, otmp = otmp->nobj)
+	for (n = inv_cnt(TRUE), otmp = invent; otmp; --n, otmp = otmp->nobj)
 	    if (!rn2(n + 1)) {
 		prinv("You find old loot:", otmp, 0L);
 		return TRUE;
diff --git a/src/shk.c b/src/shk.c
index 12bb53614..cd09c59d5 100644
--- a/src/shk.c
+++ b/src/shk.c
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ long amount;
     if (mongold->quan > amount) mongold = splitobj(mongold, amount);
     obj_extract_self(mongold);
 
-    if (!merge_choice(invent, mongold) && inv_cnt() >= 52) {
+    if (!merge_choice(invent, mongold) && inv_cnt(FALSE) >= 52) {
 	You("have no room for the money!");
 	dropy(mongold);
     } else {
diff --git a/src/steal.c b/src/steal.c
index 3ca65c16f..58d53cf22 100644
--- a/src/steal.c
+++ b/src/steal.c
@@ -263,6 +263,7 @@ boolean unchain_ball;	/* whether to unpunish or just unwield */
 /* Returns 1 when something was stolen (or at least, when N should flee now)
  * Returns -1 if the monster died in the attempt
  * Avoid stealing the object stealoid
+ * GOLDOBJ: nymphs and monkeys won't steal coins
  */
 int
 steal(mtmp, objnambuf)
@@ -282,7 +283,7 @@ char *objnambuf;
 	   so this will cause it to be removed now */
 	if (occupation) (void) maybe_finished_meal(FALSE);
 
-	if (!invent || (inv_cnt() == 1 && uskin)) {
+	if (!invent || (inv_cnt(FALSE) == 1 && uskin)) {
 nothing_to_steal:
 	    /* Not even a thousand men in armor can strip a naked man. */
 	    if(Blind)
@@ -308,6 +309,9 @@ nothing_to_steal:
 	tmp = 0;
 	for(otmp = invent; otmp; otmp = otmp->nobj)
 	    if ((!uarm || otmp != uarmc) && otmp != uskin
+#ifdef GOLDOBJ
+				&& otmp->oclass != COIN_CLASS
+#endif
 #ifdef INVISIBLE_OBJECTS
 				&& (!otmp->oinvis || perceives(mtmp->data))
 #endif
@@ -318,6 +322,9 @@ nothing_to_steal:
 	tmp = rn2(tmp);
 	for(otmp = invent; otmp; otmp = otmp->nobj)
 	    if ((!uarm || otmp != uarmc) && otmp != uskin
+#ifdef GOLDOBJ
+				&& otmp->oclass != COIN_CLASS
+#endif
 #ifdef INVISIBLE_OBJECTS
 				&& (!otmp->oinvis || perceives(mtmp->data))
 #endif
@@ -375,7 +382,7 @@ gotobj:
 		/* the fewer items you have, the less likely the thief
 		   is going to stick around to try again (0) instead of
 		   running away (1) */
-		return !rn2(inv_cnt() / 5 + 2);
+		return !rn2(inv_cnt(FALSE) / 5 + 2);
 	    }
 	}
 
diff --git a/src/trap.c b/src/trap.c
index 5d3fb60a0..a0c112947 100644
--- a/src/trap.c
+++ b/src/trap.c
@@ -3160,7 +3160,7 @@ STATIC_OVL boolean
 emergency_disrobe(lostsome)
 boolean *lostsome;
 {
-	int invc = inv_cnt();
+	int invc = inv_cnt(TRUE);
 
 	while (near_capacity() > (Punished ? UNENCUMBERED : SLT_ENCUMBER)) {
 	    register struct obj *obj, *otmp = (struct obj *)0;
diff --git a/src/uhitm.c b/src/uhitm.c
index 3373ba7b5..e969e1a81 100644
--- a/src/uhitm.c
+++ b/src/uhitm.c
@@ -1478,7 +1478,8 @@ register struct attack *mattk;
 		    struct obj *mongold = findgold(mdef->minvent);
 	            if (mongold) {
 		        obj_extract_self(mongold);  
-		        if (merge_choice(invent, mongold) || inv_cnt() < 52) {
+			if (merge_choice(invent, mongold) ||
+				inv_cnt(FALSE) < 52) {
 			    addinv(mongold);
 			    Your("purse feels heavier.");
 			} else {