Are you curious about the extremely rare 1901 quarter? Barber quarters can be exciting to collect, but the 1901 date, especially the San Francisco issue, is particularly fascinating due to its historically low mintage. So unique is this old coin that it is considered one of the 20th century’s U.S. coinage rarities! Want to learn more about the 1901 quarter value? Read on!
Our guide will take you through the origins of the 1901 quarter, its key physical attributes, and tips for authenticating and grading your quarter. You’ll also learn about the few minting errors worth a spot in your collection.
So, let’s find out: How much is the 1901 quarter worth?
1900 Quarter Value Chart |
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| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| 1900-No Mint Mark Quarter Value | $20 | $45 | $115 | $14,000 |
| 1900-O Quarter Value | $85 | $310 | $1,000 | $30,000 |
| 1900-S Quarter Value | $7,700 | $18,000 | $31,500 | $475,500 |
| 1900- Proof Quarter Value | – | – | – | $14,000 |
History of the 1901 Quarter
The first Barber quarters were struck in January 1892 as part of a coin redesign process to replace the Seated Liberty design that had been used on most silver coins since the 1830s. Created by U.S. Mint engraver Christian Gobrecht, the Seated Liberty design attracted a lot of public criticism in the United States as it seemed to have an English influence.
Since the 1880s, there had been a push by legislators to change the design of silver coins, but it was only until 1890 that President Benjamin Harrison acceded to legislation allowing all U.S. coins to be eligible for redesign without Congressional approval 25 years after the coin was first produced. The same year the act was authorized, the Mint hired a new director, Edward Leech, who spearheaded the redesign of the silver coins.
Leech, offering a $500 prize only to the winner, announced a public competition inviting elite artists to propose a new design for the coins. However, most of the artists did not participate in the contest, given that only the winner would be rewarded. Additionally, Chief Engraver Charles Barber and artists Saint-Gaudens and Henry Mitchell, who were appointed as judges for the competition, considered themselves superior artists to the ones Leech had invited to the competition. All these factors contributed to the competition’s eventual failure.
With a failed competition and a looming deadline, Leech turned to Barber for help with redesigning the new coins. Initially, the two men disagreed about the design’s outcomes, sometimes having heated arguments. Eventually, Barber submitted a design that Leech found acceptable enough to submit to President Harrison for approval in late 1891, paving the way for production in January 1892.
The 1901 quarter had one of the highest mintages in the Barber quarters series. Struck at the Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco Mints, these quarters are generally common in circulated condition but scarce in Mint State and Gem conditions. As you’ll discover in the next sections, uncirculated 1901 quarters can be a valuable addition to your collection.
Also read: Top 13 Most Valuable State Quarters Worth Money
Features of the 1901 Quarter
Next, we’ll look at the physical attributes of the 1901 Barber quarter. By familiarizing yourself with these features, you can more accurately authenticate and grade your silver coins and quickly recognize Barber quarters worth good money.
Here’s what you need to know:
Obverse of the 1901 Quarter
The obverse features Lady Liberty’s right-facing portrait in which she wears a Phrygian cap and a laurel headband tied at the back with the word LIBERTY inscribed at the front atop her forehead.
The words IN GOD WE TRUST are etched above Liberty’s portrait, while the date 1901 is inscribed at the bottom along the rim.
Thirteen stars, six to the left and seven to the right, surround Liberty’s portrait. The stars represent the thirteen states that first joined the union.
Reverse of the 1901 Quarter
The reverse has a more intricate design featuring the heraldic eagle. A shield on the eagle’s breast symbolizes non-aggression and self-defense.
In its beak, the eagle clutches a flag inscribed with the Latin phrase, E PLURIBUS UNUM, which means “Out of Many, One.” The eagle also holds an olive branch in its right talon, representing peace, while in its left talon is a bunch of arrows symbolizing victory.
Above the eagle is a constellation of stars representing the thirteen states that originally joined the Union. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is inscribed in an arc at the top, while the coin’s denomination, QUARTER DOLLAR, is etched at the bottom along the rim. Two periods on either side separate the top and bottom inscriptions.
Like the obverse, the reverse is decorated with tiny denticles around the coin’s circumference.
Other Features of the 1901 Quarter
Additional features worth noting include:
- Diameter: 24.30 millimeters
- Weight:6.30 grams
- Edge: Reeded
- Metal Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
- ASW: 1808oz
- Fineness: 9
Also read: Top 16 Most Valuable Modern Quarters Worth Money
1901 Quarter Value Guides
So, how much is a 1901 quarter worth? The value depends on the coin’s condition, mintage, mintmark, and rarity.
There are four types of the 1901 Barber quarter—three are regular business strikes and one is a proof quarter:
- 1901 No Mint mark Quarter
- 1901-O Quarter
- 1901-S Quarter
- 1901 Proof Quarter
Let’s find out how much each is worth.
1901 No-Mint mark Quarter Value
The Philadelphia Mint struck about 8,892,000 Barber quarters in 1901, the highest mintage that year. Circulated examples are fairly common, although many survivors today are heavily worn. Mint State examples are scarce to rare but still collectible.
Here’s what to expect from the value of a 1901 quarter:
- Circulated Examples: These are generally common and affordable, although the population dwindles from About Uncirculated (AU50) and progressively decreases. In Poor/Average condition, examples can sell for as much as $10 and up to $20 in Good (G) condition. In Fine (F), a 1901 quarter is worth about $45 and up to $115 in Extremely Fine (XF). About Uncirculated examples are relatively scarce, commanding a slightly higher price of $300.
- Mint State Examples: Uncirculated quarters are fairly common in lower grades and affordable for most collectors. In MS60, an example is worth at least $340 and as much as $425 in MS62. Prices almost double in MS64, where examples will sell for as much as $750. Gems are rare and will command higher prices. In MS65 examples can sell for up to $1,300 while the value doubles in MS66, where pieces can fetch up to $3,500. A rare quarter graded MS67 can command up to $14,000.
- Auction Record: In 1997, Bowers & Merena auctioned an MS67 for an impressive $17,600, making this one of the most valuable 1901 quarters.
1901-O Quarter Value
With a mintage of 1,612,000, the 1901 quarters struck in New Orleans are among the scarcest in the entire Barber coin series. Circulated examples are scarce, while Mint State survivors are few and far between. Gems in this series are extremely rare, and values can be prohibitively high.
Here’s a breakdown of the value of a 1901-O quarter:
- Circulated Examples: These are scarce in all grades, but the population declines drastically in grade Fine (F) and higher. In Poor/Average condition, examples can sell for as much as $50 and up to $85 in Good (G). Fine (F) examples are worth at least $310, but the prices shoot up to $1,000 for an Extremely Fine (XF) piece. Rare About Uncirculated (AU58) quarters can sell for double the price at $2,100.
- Mint State Examples: Uncirculated 1901-O quarters are truly rare in all grades, and even lower grade examples can command high prices. For example, in MS60, a piece can sell for at least $2,350 and as much as $3,000 in MS63. Quarters graded MS64 and higher are extremely rare and command premium prices. In MS64, for instance, a piece can sell for up to $5,000, as much as $9,000 in MS65, and up to $17,500 in MS66.
- Auction Record: In a 2009 sale, Heritage Auctions sold an MS67 for a remarkable $27,600, making this one of the most valuable 1901-O Barber quarters.
1901-S Quarter Value
A historically low mintage of 72,664 makes the 1901-S quarter the rarest Barber quarter. The reason for the low mintage is unknown, but what is certain is that this date commands a premium in all grades due to its extreme scarcity. It can also be said that the 1901-S quarters are one of the rarest coins of the 20th-century United States.
Like most Barber coins from this period, survivors show heavy wear, while Mint State survivors are extremely rare. A few nice gems have been discovered, but their auction prices are prohibitively high.
Unsurprisingly, this date is a major target for counterfeiting, where fraudsters add the “S” mintmark to the common 1901-Philadelphia quarter. The real “S” mintmark is of the same style used on all Barber Quarters minted from 1898-1915, but a fake mintmark will be of the style used on U.S. coins minted between 1917-1941—this alone can help you distinguish a genuine 1901-S quarter from a counterfeit. But, to prove authenticity, certification should always accompany any 1901-S quarter you come across.
So, how much are these quarters worth? Here’s what to expect:
- Circulated Examples: These are heavily worn, and examples graded Fine (F) or higher are rare. So small is the population of survivors that even lower grade examples can command premium prices. In Poor/Average condition, a 1901-S quarter can sell for as much as $3,750 while a Good (G) one is worth at least $7,700. Fine (F) examples sell for more than double the price at $18,000, while a rare Extremely Fine (XF) example will command up to $31,500. About Uncirculated (AU58) quarters are genuinely rare and can sell for at least $47,000.
- Mint State Examples: The population of certified Mint States 1901-S quarters is very small, and even fewer are nice enough to be graded as Gems. Survivors command extremely high prices at auction, for example, in MS60, a specimen can fetch as much as $51,000 and up to $62,500 in MS63. Examples graded MS64 and higher are extremely hard to come by, with their population estimated to be about 10-20 pieces. In MS64 expect prices as high as $72,500 while an MS66 can command up to $150,000.
- Auction Record: In a 1990 record-shattering sale, Superior Galleries auctioned an extremely rare MS68 for an impressive $550,000, making this the most valuable 1901-S quarter to date.
1901 Proof Quarter Value
The Philadelphia Mint struck about 831 proof quarters in 1901, a population that was more or less similar to other dates in the Barber quarters series. Most survivors are regular proofs and only an estimated 20 percent are graded as Cameo, while Ultra or Deep Cameos are virtually unknown. The majority of survivors are graded PF63 to PF64, with higher grade specimens being extremely rare. Prices range between $390 and $11,750.
1901 Quarter Grading
Grading a 1901 quarter involves examining its condition. As many survivors are heavily worn, small differences in the coin’s condition will greatly affect its value.
Start by assessing the wear in high-contact points, including Liberty’s facial features, laurel wreath, and the inscription, LIBERTY, on her headband. On the reverse, pay attention to the eagle’s features, including the wing and tail feathers, shield, and talons. The extent of wear on the rim, date, and other inscriptions can also be used to estimate the coin’s grade. Extensive wear points to a lower grade, while clearer, bolder details signal a higher grade.
Check out this video for more tips on grading Barber quarters.
Rare 1901 Quarter Errors List
A few minting errors from the 1901 quarters series are worth a spot in your collection. Here are some to look out for:
1. 1901 Quarter Re-punched Date Error
Some 1901 quarters will show a re-punched date where one or more digits in the date appear struck twice, such that the second strike is punched over and overlaps the first strike. This error can add $20-$100 to the value of your quarter. For example, in 2005, an eBay collector paid $130 for a 1901 quarter graded Extremely Fine (XF) with a re-punched date error.
2. 1901 Quarter Doubled Die Error
A doubled die error occurs when the die strikes the planchet multiple times at slightly different positions, resulting in visible doubling of the design elements or inscriptions on either side of the coin. In 1901 quarters, doubling might be visible on the inscriptions IN GOD WE TRUST and Liberty’s features, and/or on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, QUARTER DOLLAR and features of the heraldic eagle.
Depending on the strength of the doubling, a doubled die error can sell for $20-$100 more than the quarter’s value. For example, in 2012, a collector paid $100 for a 1901 quarter graded Fine (F) with an obverse and reverse doubled die error.
Also read: 17 Most Valuable Quarter Errors Worth Money
Where to Sell Your 1901 Quarter?
Now that you know the value of your coins, do you know where to sell those coins online easily? Don’t worry, I’ve compiled a list of these sites, including their introduction, pros, and cons.
Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)
FAQs
How much is a 1901 quarter worth today?
The market value of a 1901 quarter can range from $10 to $150,000, depending on the coin’s condition, mintmark, and mintage.
What is a 1901 S Barber quarter?
The 1901-S quarter Barber quarter is easily considered the rarest silver coin of the 20th-century U.S. coinage due to its historically low mintage of about 72,000 pieces. Due to its high demand and value, the 1901-S is a target for counterfeiting, so careful grading and authenticating are needed.
How much is a 1901 S Barber Quarter worth?
Due to its extreme scarcity, the 1901-S can command premium prices even in lower grades. Prices range from $3,750 in circulated condition to at least $465,000 in Mint State.
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