Let's assume the quarters are all uncirculated, in tall cylindrical 
stacks, standing vertically in the can.

By Googling, I have found these facts:

1. The official diameter of a quarter is 0.955 inches.
2. The official thickness of a quarter is 0.069 inches.
3. The maximum number of non-overlapping smaller circles of 
diameter d that will fit inside a larger circle of diameter D 
is the integer part of  

Since the circumference of the can is 25.5 inches, its diameter is

 = 8.116902098 inches.  

The diameter of a quarter is 0.955 inches,

so using the formula,

.

So 72 stacks of quarters can be placed in the can.  

Now since the can is 8.5 inches tall, and a quarter has thickness 0.069 inches,
we see how many quarters are in each stack. 



So there are 123 quarters in each stack.  So we multiply that by 72 stacks
and get 8856 quarters. [worth $2214]

Edwin

Let's consider these quarters packed in vertical stacks inside the can.


The diameter of the can     is  D =  = 8.117 inches (rounded).

The diameter of a quarter   is  d = 0.955 inches (an official info).


 =  = 8.5.


So, the problem is reduced to this question


    +---------------------------------------------------------------+
    |        how many circles of radius 1 unit can be placed        |
    |     in the circle of radius 8.5 units without overlapping     |
    +---------------------------------------------------------------+


In the Internet, there is web-site  http://www.packomania.com/  and the calculator there 
(free of charge, for common use).


 +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 | It easily determines the MAXIMUM possible solution for such placing (!!!). |
 |  and even shows you a final diagram  (which is just a fantastic service)   |
 +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+


In our case, 57 circles are possible to place without overlapping.


The number of quarters in each stack is   = 123  (rounded to the closest smaller integer).


So, the  ANSWER  to the problem's question, using this conception, is  

                           57*123 = 7011.