BANKSY
Barcode, 2004
Screenprint on cream wove paper
Sheet: 50×70 cm (19 3/4 x 27 1/2 inches)
Printer & Publisher: Pictures on Walls, London
Editions: 600 unsigned, 150 signed,
Numbering and Signature
Numbered in pencil, lower right, no publisher’s blindstamp
Some with the Banksy stamp in red ink
Signed either in pencil or in black ink
The auction history of Barcode (unsigned) offers a particularly instructive view of the Banksy print market because it behaves differently from the artist’s most universally iconic images. The work is clever, immediately legible, and deeply Banksy in spirit: a leopard appears to have escaped from a barcode, transforming a familiar symbol of consumer capitalism into both a cage and a trap. It is a concise critique of commodification, consumption, and the illusion of freedom inside the commercial system.
Before the pandemic-era expansion, Barcode traded within a relatively modest range. Between 2018 and 2019, the work generally sold between approximately $15,000 and $21,000, with a pre-boom median around $16,815. At that stage, the print occupied a respected but secondary position within the Banksy market: admired for its intelligence and graphic economy, but not valued at the level of Love Is In The Air, Laugh Now, or Girl With Balloon.
The market changed dramatically in 2020. As demand for Banksy prints intensified, Barcode participated fully in the speculative expansion. Several results approached or exceeded $95,000, and the December 2020 Bonhams London sale at approximately $134,880 marked the strongest result in the dataset. This was an extraordinary repricing for an unsigned edition that had traded around $20,000 only a year earlier.
The momentum continued into 2021, although the market became more uneven. Several sales exceeded $100,000, including results around $105,000 and $110,150, while many others clustered between $45,000 and $85,000. The 2021 median reached approximately $72,000, confirming that the boom was not merely the result of one isolated sale. Barcode had been pulled into the broader Banksy frenzy.
The correction began after 2021 and was severe. By 2022, prices had already compressed into a lower range, mostly between $28,000 and $38,000. By 2023, the market showed only selective strength, with results generally between $28,000 and $40,000. In 2024 and 2025, the correction became more pronounced, with recent sales often returning to the $11,000–$25,000 range.
In 2025, the median price is approximately $18,015. This places Barcode much closer to its pre-pandemic level than several of the stronger Banksy images analyzed so far. That is the essential market lesson: Barcode benefited dramatically from the 2020–2021 boom, but it retained less of that speculative premium once the market normalized.
This does not mean the work lacks importance. Barcode remains one of Banksy’s sharpest critiques of consumer culture, and it continues to trade regularly across respected auction houses including Bonhams, Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Phillips, Forum Auctions, Heritage, Tate Ward, and others. Liquidity remains present. What changed is the price collectors are willing to pay.
Key Takeaways
- Barcode (unsigned) experienced a dramatic pandemic-era expansion, rising from a pre-boom range around $15,000–$21,000 to peak results above $100,000.
- The December 2020 Bonhams London result at approximately $134,880 represents the high-water mark of the dataset and should be treated as a peak-cycle result rather than a sustainable benchmark.
- The market corrected sharply after 2021, with 2024–2025 results returning close to pre-pandemic levels.
- The work remains liquid and conceptually strong, but it behaves more like a secondary Banksy image than a blue-chip icon.
- Current prices suggest a more rational collector-driven market, where the work is valued for its wit and critique rather than for speculative momentum.
Barcode is therefore an important case study: it shows that not all Banksy prints benefited equally from the post-2021 normalization. The market has become more discriminating, and Barcode now stands as a useful benchmark for understanding the difference between a strong Banksy image and a truly iconic one.
Barcode (unsigned)
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 323/600 |
| Heritage Auctions: 29 January 2026 Dallas, USA No Estimates Received |
| USD 20,000 GBP 14,480 / USD 20,000 |
2025 Auction Results
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: XXX/600 |
| Tate Ward: 10 December 2025 London, UK Estimated: GBP 9,000 – 12,000 |
| GBP 10,575 GBP 10,575 / USD 14,140 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 276/600 |
| Deutscher and Hackett: 26 November 2025 Sydney, AUSTRALIA Estimated: AUD 30,000 – 40,000 |
| AUD 36,818 GBP 18,000 / USD 23,830 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: XXX/600 |
| Forum Auctions: 15 October 2025 London, UK Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 15,000 |
| GBP 10,200 (Hammer) GBP 13,440 / USD 18,015 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 389/600 |
| Lyon & Turnbull: 14 October 2025 London, UK Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000 |
| GBP 8,183 GBP 8,183 / USD 10,900 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: XXX/600 |
| Karl & Faber: 6 June 2025 Munich, GERMANY Estimated: EUR 10,000 – 15,000 |
| EUR 17,780 GBP 15,015 / USD 20,270 |
XXXXXXXXXX
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 460/600 |
| Artcurial: 3 December 2025 Paris, FRANCE Estimated: EUR 15,000 – 20,000 |
| PASSED |
XXXXXXXXXX
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 301/600 |
| Bonhams London: 24 September 2025 London, UK Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000 |
| PASSED |
2024 Auction Results
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 62/600 |
| Tate Ward Auctions: 20 March 2024 London, UK Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000 |
| GBP 16,250 GBP 16,250 / USD 20,610 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 135/600 |
| Roseberys London: 5 March 2024 London, UK Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000 |
| GBP 19,680 GBP 19,680 / USD 25,015 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 119/600 |
| Michaan’s Auctions: 16 February 2024 Alameda, CA, USA Estimated: USD 20,000 – 30,000 |
| USD 15,600 GBP 12,275 / USD 15,600 |
2023 Auction Results
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 79/600 |
| Bonhams London: 6 December 2023 London, UK Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 25,000 |
| GBP 23,040 GBP 23,040 / USD 29,020 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 359/600 |
| Bonhams London: 29 March 2023 London, UK Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000 |
| GBP 22,950 GBP 22,950 / USD 28,255 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 536/600 |
|
Christie’s Online: 14 March 2023 |
| GBP 32,760 GBP 32,760 / USD 40,295 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 342/600 |
| Phillips London: 19 January 2023 London, UK Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000 |
| GBP 30,240 GBP 30,240 / USD 37,195 |
XXXXXXXXXX
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 256/600 |
| Rosebery’s London: 23 November 2023 London, UK Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000 |
| PASSED |
2022 Auction Results
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 239/600 |
| Heritage Auctions: 29 November 2022 Dallas, USA Estimated: USD 20,000 – 30,000 |
| USD 28,750 GBP 23,580 / USD 28,750 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: XXX/600 |
| Forum Auctions: 8 November 2022 London, UK Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000 |
| GBP 24,500 (Hammer) GBP 32,830 / USD 38,055 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 323/600 |
| Sotheby’s online: 17 August 2022 London, UK Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000 |
| GBP 25,200 GBP 25,200 / USD 30,240 |
2021 Auction Results
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 45/600 |
| Tate Ward Auctions: 7 December 2021 London, UK Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000 |
| GBP 35,000 GBP 35,000 / USD 45,790 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: XXX/600 |
| Forum Auctions: 20 October 2021 London, UK Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000 |
| GBP 32,000 (Hammer) GBP 42,880 / USD 59,605 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 490/600 |
| Mallet Japan: 7 October 2021 Tokyo, JAPAN Estimated: JPY 4,000,000 – 6,000,000 |
| JPY 5,500,000 (Hammer) JPY 6,407,500 GBP 42,195 / USD 57,470 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: XXX/600 |
|
SBI Art Auction: 18 September 2021 |
| JPY 6,555,000 GBP 43,640 / USD 59,620 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 428/600 |
| International Art Center: 27 July 2021 Aukland, NEW-ZEALAND Estimated: NZD 80,000 – 120,000 |
| NZD 111,625 GBP 59,110 / USD 82,160 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 352/600 |
| Bonhams online: 29 June 2021 London, UK Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000 |
| GBP 31,500 GBP 31,500 / USD 43,570 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: XXX/600 |
| Tate Ward Auctions: 24 June 2021 London, UK Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 55,000 |
| GBP 42,500 GBP 42,500 / USD 59,095 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 247/600 |
| Bonhams London: 28 April 2021 London, UK Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000 |
| GBP 47,750 GBP 47,750 / USD 66,375 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 545/600 |
| Christie’s online: 1 April 2021 London, UK Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000 |
| GBP 56,250 GBP 56,250 / USD 77,625 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 314/600 |
| Sotheby’s online: 18 March 2021 London, UK Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000 |
| GBP 75,600 GBP 75,600 / USD 105,085 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 533/600 |
| Forum Auctions: 5 March 2021 London, UK Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000 |
| GBP 60,000 (Hammer) GBP 80,400 / USD 110,150 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 239/600 |
| Heritage Auctions: 10 February 2021 Dallas, USA Estimates Not Communicated |
| USD 93,750 GBP 67,445 / USD 93,750 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: XXX/600 |
| Forum Auctions: 27 January 2021 London, UK Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000 |
| GBP 46,000 (Hammer) GBP 61,640 / USD 84,445 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 16/600 |
| Phillips London: 21 January 2021 London, UK Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000 |
| GBP 75,600 GBP 75,600 / USD 105,000 |
XXXXXXXXXX
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 200/600 |
| Webb’s: 9 August 2021 Aukland, NEW-ZEALAND Estimated: NZD 90,000 – 160,000 |
| PASSED |
XXXXXXXXXX
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: XXX/600 |
| Forum Auctions: 23 April 2021 London, UK Estimated: GBP 55,000 – 70,000 |
| PASSED |
2020 Auction Results
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 408/600 |
| Bonhams London: 10 December 2020 London, UK Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000 |
| GBP 100,250 GBP 100,250 / USD 134,880 AUCTION RECORD FOR BARCODE (UNSIGNED) |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: XXX/600 |
| Forum Auctions: 7 December 2020 London, UK Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000 |
| GBP 55,000 (Hammer) GBP 73,700 / USD 97,285 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: XXX/600 |
| Forum Auctions: 27 October 2020 London, UK Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000 |
| GBP 55,000 (Hammer) GBP 73,700 / USD 96,290 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: XXX/600 |
| Forum Auctions: 4 September 2020 London, UK Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000 |
| GBP 55,000 (Hammer) GBP 73,700 / USD 97,505 |
2019 Auction Results
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 461/600 |
| Martel Maides Auctions: 12 December 2019 Guernsey, UK Estimated: GBP 8,000 – 10,000 |
| GBP 15,000 GBP 15,000 / USD 19,765 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 535/600 |
| Shapiro Auctioneers: 26 November 2019 Sidney, AUSTRALIA Estimated: AUD 18,000 – 26,000 |
| AUD 24,000 GBP 13,040 / USD 16,270 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 198/600 |
| Sotheby’s online: 19 September 2019 London, UK Estimated: GBP 7,000 – 9,000 |
| GBP 16,250 GBP 13,040 / USD 20,275 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 336/600 |
| Leonard Joel: 10 April 2019 Sidney, AUSTRALIA Estimated: AUD 18,000 – 24,000 |
| AUD 18,000 (Hammer) AUD 22,500 GBP 13,835 / USD 17,265 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: XXX/600 |
| Tate Ward Auctions: 10 April 2019 London, UK Estimated: GBP 11,000 – 13,000 |
| GBP 12,500 GBP 12,500 / USD 16,365 |
2018 Auction Results
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 104/600 |
| Bonhams New-York: 8 November 2018 New-York, USA Estimated: USD 10,000 – 12,000 |
| USD 15,000 GBP 11,400 / USD 15,000 |
| Barcode (unsigned), 2004 Edition: 545/600 |
| Sotheby’s London: 18 September 2018 London, UK Estimated: GBP 7,000 – 9,000 |
| GBP 16,250 GBP 16,250 / USD 21,375 |
Barcode (signed)
2025 Auction Results
Barcode (signed) did not sell at auction in 2025.
2024 Auction Results
| Barcode (signed), 2004 Edition: 78/150 |
| Christie’s online: 1 October 2024 London, UK Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000 |
| GBP 37,800 GBP 37,800 / USD 50,275 |
| Barcode (signed), 2004 Edition: 122/150 |
| Bonhams online: 20 March 2024 London, UK Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000 |
| GBP 43,250 GBP 43,520 / USD 55,195 |
2023 Auction Results
| Barcode (signed), 2004 Edition: 28/150 |
| Sotheby’s London: 26 September 2023 London, UK Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000 |
| GBP 53,340 GBP 53,340 / USD 66,100 |
| Barcode (signed), 2004 Edition: 30/150 DN |
| Sotheby’s online: 20 April 2023 London, UK Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000 |
| GBP 76,200 GBP 76,200 / USD 94,860 |
| Barcode (signed), 2004 Edition: 19/150 |
| Bonhams London: 19 April 2023 London, UK Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000 |
| GBP 53,220 GBP 53,220 / USD 66,210 |
2022 Auction Results
| Barcode (signed), 2004 Edition: 30/150 |
| Bonhams London: 13 December 2022 London, UK Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000 |
| GBP 53,220 GBP 53,220 / USD 65,860 |
| Barcode (signed), 2004 Edition: 96/150 |
| Sotheby’s online: 17 August 2022 London, UK Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000 |
| GBP 75,600 GBP 75,600 / USD 90,720 |
| Barcode (signed), 2004 Edition: 22/150 DN |
|
Sotheby’s online, 26 April 2022
London, UK Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 100,000 |
| GBP 88,200 GBP 88,200 / USD 111,130 |
| Barcode (signed), 2004 Edition: 16/150 |
| Forum Auctions: 3 March 2022 London, UK Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 90,000 |
| GBP 78,000 (Hammer) GBP 104,250 / USD 142,145 |
2021 Auction Results
| Barcode (signed), 2004 Edition: 19/150 |
| Bonhams London: 11 November 2021 London, UK Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 100,000 |
| GBP 94,000 GBP 94,000 / USD 126,900 |
| Barcode (signed), 2004 Edition: 47/150 DN |
| Sotheby’s online: 17 September 2021 London, UK Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 100,000 |
| GBP 113,400 GBP 113,400 / USD 157,625 |
| Barcode (signed), 2004 Edition: 68/150 |
| Bonhams online: 29 June 2021 London, UK Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 100,000 |
| GBP 94,000 GBP 94,000 / USD 130,015 |
| Barcode (signed), 2004 Edition: XXX/150 |
| Tate Ward Auctions: 24 March 2021 London, UK Estimated: GBP 100,000 – 150,000 |
| GBP 125,000 GBP 125,000 / USD 173,750 |
2020 Auction Results
| Barcode (signed), 2004 Edition: 11/150 |
| Bonhams London: 15 December 2020 London, UK Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 100,000 |
| GBP 100,250 GBP 100,250 / USD 134,000 |
| Barcode (signed), 2004 Edition: XXX/150 |
| Forum Auctions: 7 December 2020 London, UK Estimated: GBP 100,000 – 150,000 |
| GBP 105,000 (Hammer) GBP 140,700 / USD 185,725 AUCTION RECORD PRICE FOR BARCODE (SIGNED) |
| Barcode (signed), 2004 Edition: XXX/150 |
| Forum Auctions: 27 October 2020 London, UK Estimated: GBP 80,000 – 120,000 |
| GBP 104,000 (Hammer) GBP 139,360 / USD 183,955 |
2019 Auction Results
| Barcode (signed), 2004 Edition: 125/150 |
| Christie’s New-York: 27 February 2019 New-York, USA Estimated: USD 20,000 – 30,000 |
| USD 35,000 GBP 26,620 / USD 35,000 |
| Barcode (signed), 2004 Edition: XXX/150 |
| Forum Auctions: 29 January 2019 London, UK Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000 |
| GBP 35,000 (Hammer) GBP 46,900 / USD 61,670 |
2018 Auction Results
| Barcode (signed), 2004 Edition: 84/150 |
| Forum Auctions: 25 June 2018 London, UK Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 55,000 |
| GBP 35,000 (Hammer) GBP 46,900 / USD 62,250 |
