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Because I'm Worthless (red) - Unsigned Print by Banksy 2004 - MyArtBroker

Because I'm Worthless (red)
Unsigned Print

Banksy

£10,000-£15,000Value Indicator

$21,000-$30,000 Value Indicator

$19,000-$28,000 Value Indicator

¥100,000-¥150,000 Value Indicator

€11,500-€17,000 Value Indicator

$110,000-$160,000 Value Indicator

¥1,990,000-¥2,990,000 Value Indicator

$13,500-$20,000 Value Indicator

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50 x 35cm, Edition of 175, Screenprint

Medium: Screenprint

Edition size: 175

Year: 2004

Size: H 50cm x W 35cm

Signed: No

Format: Unsigned Print

Last Auction: April 2025

Value Trend:

-5% AAGR

AAGR (5 years) This estimate blends recent public auction records with our own private sale data and network demand.

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Auction Results

Auction Date
Auction House
Location
Return to Seller
Hammer Price
Buyer Paid
April 2025
Rosebery's Fine Art Auctioneers
United Kingdom
£8,500
£10,000
£13,120
December 2020
Phillips Hong Kong
Hong Kong
November 2020
Tate Ward Auctions
United Kingdom
March 2020
Forum Auctions London
United Kingdom
February 2020
Tate Ward Auctions
United Kingdom
March 2019
Phillips London
United Kingdom
December 2018
Bonhams Knightsbridge
United Kingdom
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Banksy's Because I'm Worthless (red) is a screenprint from 2004, estimated to be worth between £13,000 and £20,000. This artwork has shown consistent value growth, with an average annual growth rate of 6%. The hammer price over the past 12 months has ranged from £10,000 in April 2025 to £15,000 in November 2025. This piece has an auction history of seven total sales since its entry to the market in October 2016. The edition size of this artwork is limited to 175.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.8Dec 2018Jan 2020Jan 2021Feb 2022Mar 2023Mar 2024Apr 2025£7,000£8,000£9,000£10,000£11,000£12,000£13,000£14,000© MyArtBroker

Meaning & Analysis

In this print, Banksy uses one of his most famous symbols, the rat, which references the famous French graffiti artist Blek Le Rat. Banksy regularly uses the rat as a motif in a number of his artworks - whether this is pure coincidence or whether it’s due to the fact that “rat” is an anagram of art is not certain. The image shows a rat in Banksy’s signature stencil-style, wearing a Peace chain, holding a placard that drips in red (or pink) graffiti reading, ‘Because I’m Worthless.'

As with all Banksy artworks, there are multiple interpretations of this much sought-after screen print. Banksy famously uses the rat to symbolise 'the masses' and working public at large, thus representing the way that society deems such “vermin” as worthless. However, Banksy is also slightly mocking the L’Oreal strapline ‘Because I’m Worth it’, which might be seen as a subversive nod to neoliberal consumer capitalism and its relationship to the exploitation of the working class.

The Banksy Placard Rat series also includes Get Out While You Can and Welcome To Hell.

  • Renowned British street artist, Banksy, is the enigmatic figure behind some of the most subversive works in the Urban Art scene. Despite his anonymity, the artists' disruptive stunts have not only gained him notoriety, but they have vocalised his stance on many social and political issues. As seen with the likes of Girl With Balloon and Napalm, Banksy uses his distinctive stencil technique to produce thought-provoking commentaries on challenging themes. The showcase of rebellion that lines his work has caused his secondary market value to soar in recent years, propelling him to the top of the Urban Art scene.