Step 1: Let the initial amount of money Mr. Jones had be \( x \).
He gave 40\% of the money to his wife, so the amount given to his wife is:
\[
\text{Amount to wife} = 0.4x
\]
The remaining amount after giving money to his wife is:
\[
\text{Remaining amount} = x - 0.4x = 0.6x
\]
Step 2: Mr. Jones gave 20\% of the remaining amount to each of his three sons.
For each son, the amount given is:
\[
\text{Amount given to each son} = 0.2 \times 0.6x = 0.12x
\]
Since there are three sons, the total amount given to the sons is:
\[
\text{Total amount to sons} = 3 \times 0.12x = 0.36x
\]
After giving money to his sons, the remaining amount is:
\[
\text{Remaining amount after sons} = 0.6x - 0.36x = 0.24x
\]
Step 3: Half of the remaining amount was spent on miscellaneous items.
The amount spent on miscellaneous items is:
\[
\text{Amount spent} = 0.5 \times 0.24x = 0.12x
\]
After spending on miscellaneous items, the remaining amount is:
\[
\text{Remaining amount after spending} = 0.24x - 0.12x = 0.12x
\]
Step 4: The remaining amount of ¥ 12,000 was deposited in the bank.
So, we have:
\[
0.12x = 12,000
\]
Step 5: Solving for \( x \):
\[
x = \frac{12,000}{0.12} = 100,000
\]
Thus, Mr. Jones initially had \rupee 1,00,000.
Answer: \rupee 1,00,000