Is it possible for shareholders to get a companies assets in place of currency? To my knowledge being a shareholder is owning a portion of a company. Then by that logic shouldn't a shareholder be able to request a companies assets instead of money? As an example, if I own 100 dollars worth of shares in XYZ company would I be able to get 100 dollars worth of their assets (chairs, tables, laptops)?
The short answer is no. 

Even on a liquidation scenario it’s unlikely that a common stock shareholder would be distributed physical assets. 

Assuming this is a C-Corporation you are asking about, shareholders do not have rights to ‘money’ or assets held inside the company- If the shares are of a preferred class with dividend rights you may receive a portion of retained earnings.