Let's break down the problem:
- The original price of the item is 60 dollars.
- The sale price is $\(85\) %$ of the original price.
- The amount saved is the difference between the original price and the sale price.
- The problem says the money saved is $\(12\) %$ of some amount (let's call this amount $x$ ).
- We are asked: What is $x$ ?

Step 1: Calculate the sale price
Sale price $\(=85\) %$ of 60

$$
\(=0.85 \times 60=51 \text { dollars }\)
$$


Step 2: Calculate the money saved
Money saved = original price - sale price

$$
\(=60-51=9 \text { dollars }\)
$$


Step 3: Set up the equation for money saved as $\(12\) %$ of $x$
Money saved $\(=12\) %$ of $x$

$$
\(9=0.12 \times x\)
$$


Step 4: Solve for $x$

$$
\(x=\frac{9}{0.12}=75\)
$$


Final answer:
The amount $x$ is 75 .