Same here.
I didn't know the values, but figured it would go along...
"lowest value, second lowest, lowest + second lowest" so the answer would be just "third lowest" (I pretty much 1'ed every 'next in the sequence' test though).
But it wasn't... atleast the coin I *think* was third lowest. Then tried another that might have been. Nope? Well, only one left. And that was apparently a dollar and the solution, for ways I would only learn after solving them.
Yeah, there were several annoying puzzles in here (the sign one with the energy anyone?), more than PA1. Or maybe that's just a faulty memory. Did know I liked this game less than PA1. Story's majorly fumbled, puzzles are more mathical (less in my book) and it felt shorter. And being a sequel, that didn't help either.
I guess I sadly have to agree with TTG's quality getting lower
EDIT:
Getting some other thinking people in to test would help a lot. So many unclear puzzles that you just have to fail to get an idea what to do. Solutions which would have worked under the given rules, but apparently there were more rules unmentioned (sure there is a path now, but you're stupid, you need it completely locked off, no sideways), hint which where just plain wrong or part of one solution of many (sun's have the same value, 5 lead to the computer)...
EDIT2:
And then there was the "gnomes and the moon" puzzle. Where I figured they jumped off (did it ever said anywhere they arrived?) so I kept trying to 'fix' the order in reverse for 5 tries before finally using hints... "they arrive" *facepalm*