Answer to Puzzle Contest:

((& which is equal to 224. The symbols correspond to numbers as follows:

! @ # $ % ^ & * ( )
0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The separate symbols on the left side of the equation are multipled together, while the symbols on the right side are together, representing the digits of a single number. Alabama Smith solved the puzzle and got out with the throne. He and the Village People sold it on eBay and made a lot of money.

Winner: Jessica Graham