Although the 1913-S has a lower mintage (40,000 vs. 72,664 pieces), the 1901-S is the prime rarity in the circulation strike Barber quarter series. Unlike its later date counterpart, the 1901-S was largely overlooked by contemporary numismatists who had not yet fully embraced collecting mintmarked coins. As a result, fewer Mint State 1901-S quarters survived as compared to those dated 1913-S. In fact, our experience suggests that no more than 40 or 50 Uncirculated coins are extant.

The example to the left was sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries in the D. Brent Pogue Part VII, where it realized $180,000.