Working Backwards Solution:
The 3 cents indicates that you must have 3 pennies, so now you are left with 80 cents. Since 6 coins (9-3) must comprise this 80 cents, you know that you must have at least one quarter because 6 dimes would only yield 60 cents. It ends up that you need two quarters, which total 50 cents. Now, you are left with 30 cents and four coins. Four coins that equal 30 cents are two dimes and two nickels. Therefore, the answer is 3 pennies, 2 nickels, 2 dimes and 2 quarters.