Question 295589
You made an odd choice for help in coming to a website called algebra.com to ask for no algebra.

Tell that to the teacher. S/he gave you the algebra problem.
2 quarters=50 cents
7 nickels=35 cents
9 coins 85 cents
another possibility
8 dimes 80
1 nickel 5
9 coins 85 cents

No algebra. Just magic.
To do it without algebra would be trial and error. It is also called guessing. Just try numbers until you accidentally find the right combo.

or you could go through the possibilities which is basically systematic guessing
half dollar 50
now we need 8 more coins but the smallest is a nickel and 7*5=35
can't be a half dollar
quarters 1 
60 more cents
8 more coins
5 dimes and 2 nickels
not enough
can't be done with 9 coins and one quarter
2 quarters  50
7 nickels we did already
3 quarters and 6 more coins for 10 cents can't be done
no quarters and no half dollars leaves dimes and nickels
Did that already. 
8 dimes and 1 nickel.