Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Scarceness

Scarceness , noun

The quality or condition of being scarce; smallness of quantity in proportion to the wants or demands; deficiency; lack of plenty; short supply; penury; as, a scarcity of grain; a great scarcity of beauties. — Chaucer
A scarcity of snow would raise a mutiny at Naples. — Addison
Praise... owes its value to its scarcity. — Rambler
The value of an advantage is enhanced by its scarceness. — Collier

Also: Scarcity