The Expert Guide To Selling A Banksy

From the outset, Banksy has positioned himself as a vocal critic of the commercial art world - a stance embedded in both his artwork and public interventions. One of the earliest and clearest examples is his 2006 screenprint Morons, a satirical jab at the excesses of the art market. The image depicts an auctioneer commanding a packed salesroom, with a painting on the easel that bluntly reads: “I can’t believe you morons actually buy this shit.” First shown during his Barely Legal exhibition in Los Angeles, the work would prove prescient with his most notorious moment: 'The Banksy Shred'. In 2018, Banksy's Girl With Balloon self-destructed moments after selling at Sotheby’s for £1.04 million - an act widely interpreted as a direct rebuke of institutional commodification.

His criticism has continued across media. In 2019, following the £9.9 million sale of Devolved Parliament - which portrays chimpanzees in the House of Commons - Banksy posted a quote by art critic Robert Hughes to Instagram, lamenting how art had become synonymous with monetary value: “Its new job is to sit on the wall and get more expensive.” He’s also described the gallery system as “trophy cabinets of millionaires,” and unlike most artists of his stature, Banksy has consistently rejected formal gallery representation. This rejection of art world norms isn’t just rhetorical - it is baked into his practice, with satire and subversion forming the backbone of his cultural critique.

It’s this embedded commentary that solidifies Banksy’s place in art history - whether he seeks it or not - and helps explain why his works continue to command multimillion-pound prices. Most recently, in March 2025, Crude Oil (Vettriano) - his reworked, dystopian take on the 1992 painting, The Singing Butler - was sold by Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus at Sotheby’s for £4.2 million. In a cautious market, the result reflected not only rarity but also continued appetite for works that challenge, question, and resonate well beyond the surface.

Understanding the value of Banksy prints is pivotal when considering selling. Print values vary based on edition size, with smaller editions typically more desirable due to rarity. Banksy's print market covers a wide range of subjects, often conveying bold political messages, with certain themes in higher demand than others. His prints also vary in colourways, with specific colours often commanding greater interest in the market.

Many of Banksy’s prints originate from his iconic street murals, which can significantly influence their value - particularly if they are linked to his high-profile exhibitions or were originally released by Pictures on Walls (POW), his first publisher. Given the transient nature of street art and its transition into the print market, early Banksy prints occasionally resurface with substantial value, provided they are authenticated by Pest Control. Some early editions include Test Proofs, while signed versions consistently command higher prices. To determine the best time and method for selling a Banksy print, it’s essential to research recent auction results and consult market experts familiar with his evolving market trends.

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A key element contributing to the strength of Banksy's print market lies in the distinction between signed and unsigned editions, each holding its own inherent value. Unsigned prints typically range in editions from 600 to 750, while signed prints are more limited, often around 150 editions. Signatures and edition numbers are usually located in the lower corners of the print, sometimes indicating if it's a proof print.

The precise placement can vary; for instance, Donuts (Strawberry) features a pink crayon signature in the lower left corner next to the edition number, whereas No Ball Games (grey) is signed within the printed image in the lower right corner and numbered in the left. Unsigned prints are hand-numbered, located in either lower corner, and some bear a stamped signature in black, red, or white, like Flying Copper, Barcode, and HMV Dog. However, prints such as Trolley Hunters and Girl With Balloon only display a numbered edition without a stamp. Banksy's signature, written in distinct uppercase letters, and its stamped replica are critical factors to highlight when selling your print.

While signed editions typically command higher prices and demand, Banksy’s unsigned prints have also maintained strong market interest. A key factor behind this is how Pest Control issues COA's for unsigned works, ensuring their legitimacy and expanding the buyer pool. During Banksy’s peak years, soaring demand pushed unsigned editions to achieve prices comparable to signed works, contributing to market saturation. More recently, values for both have adjusted to more sustainable levels, reflecting ongoing collector interest while aligning with a broader market correction.

Ensuring authenticity when selling a Banksy print requires all necessary paperwork and receipts, as provenance plays a crucial role in determining value. A defining feature of Banksy’s market is the role of Pest Control, the artist’s official authentication body, established in 2009 to independently verify Banksy prints and originals. Pest Control issues COAs for editions and originals, but does not authenticate street works or provide valuations. Its purpose is to safeguard the legitimacy of Banksy artworks, reinforcing market integrity.

Banksy created Pest Control as a way to regulate the market, maintain control over distribution, and protect intellectual property rights. With Banksy’s well-documented opposition to auction houses and concerns over speculative reselling, Pest Control serves as a mechanism to curb unauthorised sales and short-term flipping. By requiring a rigorous authentication process, Pest Control also helps moderate the flow of prints entering the market while also reinforcing their exclusivity. Collectors understand that without a COA, a Banksy print loses significant value - so much so that major auction houses and reputable online trading platforms will not consign a print for sale without one.

If you’re considering selling a Banksy print, keeping all purchase documentation is essential, as serious buyers prioritise verified authenticity. Without a Pest Control certificate, resale potential is drastically reduced. Learn more about verifying Banksy prints and the authentication process through Pest Control.

The condition of a print is a fundamental factor in determining its value. Many of Banksy’s early prints, produced in the early 2000s, emerged at a time when street artists were only beginning to explore printmaking with publishers. Resale potential was uncertain, and many of these prints were gifted - similar to practices seen in the American Pop art movement. Without the foresight of their future worth, early Banksy prints, originally sold for just £50 to £100, were often stored or framed improperly, leading to condition issues that now impact their value, despite some of these works appreciating to six-figure sums.

In today’s market, pristine condition is essential for maximising a print’s long-term value. During our OPEN EDITION live panel on Preserving Value, an interesting observation was made regarding early Banksy works produced on acidic paper, possibly reinforcing the idea that these works were meant to be transient rather than long-term collectibles. Acidic paper naturally degrades over time, making preservation more challenging - an often overlooked factor in the art market. This raises the broader point that, for decades, artists have been experimenting with different materials and mediums, meaning collectors and sellers must consider not only an artwork’s provenance but also its physical composition when assessing value. In some cases, artists may not have initially invested in acid-free materials, particularly when works were intended as gifts or as ephemeral pieces, as was the case with certain Banksy prints.

The same discussion also highlighted the irony of the market demanding “pristine” street art while simultaneously celebrating its raw, rebellious origins. However, as Banksy's prints have become increasingly valuable, preservation standards have risen accordingly. Proper conservation is now essential to safeguarding these works, particularly as many of them were originally housed in inexpensive clip frames when they were worth just £50. With values now reaching six figures, collectors are recognising that professional framing - especially float mounting for Banksy prints with deckled edges - is critical in maintaining long-term value.

At MyArtBroker, our sales experts provide free, no-obligation valuations, carefully assessing a print’s condition. We also work with trusted conservation specialists who offer expert guidance on restoration when needed. Reach out to us or visit The Directory for all your collecting needs.

At MyArtBroker, our specialists provide a free market valuation for your artwork, offering a level of transparency unmatched in today’s market. In addition to our valuations, through our online Trading Floor, you can access real-time insights into works by the artist you’re looking to sell, including pieces that are most in demand, wanted, or currently for sale: allowing sellers to trust the valuation that they are provided.

Additionally, the MyPortfolio collection management service grants you free access to our comprehensive print market database. This resource allows you to review auction histories for the specific work you’re looking to sell, including hammer prices, values paid, and seller returns. In a fluctuating market, this historical data is invaluable - and often comes at a cost elsewhere - offering insights into past and current values to further inform decisions based on market timing and conditions. In addition to our specialists guidance, you have concrete data.

Our approach is tailored to align with the unique attributes of each artwork, and offer optimal results:

How a Private Sale Works

Unlike peer-to-peer platforms, which lack specialised expertise, authenticity guarantees, and legal infrastructure for high-value sales, MyArtBroker operates through private sales ensuring a secure and seamless transaction process. We charge sellers 0% to sell, and take a small commission from our buyers, absorbing essential aspects including insurance, shipping, and marketing - at no extra cost to the seller. There is no magic to it, we’re a lean specialised business with less overheads than traditional models meaning we can do better for our clients.

Our revenue is derived from buyer commissions only, which are individually negotiated upon offer, and we aim to give the client the best return in the market place. By focusing on high-value artworks in excess of £10,000, we provide specialised care and expertise, ensuring each piece receives the attention it deserves, while simultaneously maximising returns with our clients. For works that fall below this threshold speak to the team about a recommendation, we offer market advisory free of charge. Our goal at MyArtBroker is to offer a seamless solution, setting us apart in the art market.

Advisory and Recommendations

In cases for artists and artworks, where our existing network of collectors isn’t the best fit due to value, medium or condition we collaborate with reputable partners to facilitate its sale. Carefully tailoring your artwork to the right party. This tailored approach is especially important as it considers the unique attributes of each artwork, providing sellers with the best possible outcome in today’s shifting art market. You can discuss this approach with us without charge as part of our advisory service.

Such recommendations are on a case-by-case basis, and ensures broader exposure and takes advantage of our knowledge of where a work will do best.