Question 1204675
<pre>
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 {{{D^2/d^2}}} 

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

{{{D=25.5/pi}}} = 8.116902098 inches.  

The diameter of a quarter is 0.955 inches,

so using the formula,

{{{8.116902098^2/0.955^2= 72.2393571}}}.

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. 

{{{8.5/0.069=123.1884058}}}

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

Edwin</pre>