Flying Copper

Medium: Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Year: 2003
Sheet: 100×70 cm (39 3/8 x 27 1/2 inches)
Editions: 150 signed, 600 unsigned
Artist’s Proofs: Pink AP (63 signed), Pink Face AP (8 signed)
Publisher: Pictures on Walls, London

 

“The Greatest Crimes in the world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people following the rules.”

 

Flying Copper shows a heavily armed police officer portrayed with small angel wings on his back. The policeman has a striking yellow smiley face which evokes of 1990s acid house culture but also a simply-drawn popular and childlike design. The symbolism of the smiling face juxtaposed with assault rifle and armor shows a striking image of oppression and threat hiding behind a friendly face. Flying Copper explores the line between “peace-keeper” and “militant forces,” reminding the viewer to be skeptical of those with too much authority or power.

 

 Banksy, Cut It Out, December 2004

Flying Copper is one of Banksy’s earliest and most iconic images. As such, it is well known all around the world. Indeed, this visual is the perfect example of Banksy’s style featuring contrasting aesthetics: photo-realistic stencils combined with graphic features. Combining those features results in a striking visual that sticks in the mind of the viewer. The juxtaposition of opposing concepts compels the audience to reconcile the fact that the “smiley face” (happiness), on an individual outfitted with riot gear (fear and intimidation) are perhaps not as contradictory as we might naturally think.

Banksy combines them into one singular image to question the role the police state truly plays and how “perception vs reality” are oftentimes very different. The little angel wings on the policeman’s back accentuate an amusing juxtaposition between morality, truth, military control and intimidation.
Flying Copper first appeared under a number of giant cut-out paintings suspended on cardboard from the ceiling at Turf War, Banksy’s first major exhibition in a warehouse in East London in 2003. The cut-outs were later spotted on the streets of Vienna and London, where the stencil appeared with a distinct red Banksy tag through the middle of it. Shoreditch Bridge also featured a row of Flying Coppers but, unfortunately, part of this installation was stolen and subsequently featured in a 2012 documentary.

 

 

Auction Market Overview

Flying Copper (unsigned)

2025 Sold 6 Times
Average Price: GBP 14,394 (USD 19,386)
Top Price: GBP 16,510 (USD 22,215) @ Sotheby’s London on 24 September 2025
2024 Sold 3 Times
Average Price: GBP 15,443 (USD 19,773)
Top Price: GBP 18,000 (USD 22,828) @ Tate Ward Auctions on 20 March 2024
2023 Sold 5 Times
Average Price: GBP 23,288 (USD 28,496)
Top Price: GBP 27,940 (USD 33,986) @ Sotheby’s online on 26 September 2023
2022 Sold 10 Times
Average Price: GBP 40,053 (USD 51,334)
Top Price: JPY 12,075,000 (USD 104,811 / GBP 76,504)
@ SBI Art Auction Tokyo on 27 January 2022
2021 Sold 6 Times
Average Price: GBP 45,317 (USD 62,776)
Top Price: GBP 64,320 (USD 88,120) @ Forum Auctions on 27 January 2021
2020  Sold 8 Times
Average Price: GBP 57,640 (USD 76,095)
Auction Record: GBP 87,100 (USD 116,715) @ Forum Auctions on 7 December 2020

 

Flying Copper (signed)

2025 Sold Twice
Average Price: GBP 29,120 (USD 39,342)
Top Price: GBP 30,480 (USD  40,965) @ Christie’s London on 30 September 2025
2024 No Sale at Auction in 2024
2023 Sold 3 Times
Average Price: GBP 44,633 (USD 55,518)
Top Price: GBP 60,960 (USD 75,885) @ Sotheby’s online on 20 April 2023
2022 Sold Once
Top Price: JPY 13,225,000 (USD 104,105 / GBP 83,900)
@ SBI Art Auction on 28 May 2022
2021 Sold Once
Auction Record: GBP 113,900 (USD 158,320) @ Forum Auctions on 5 March 2021
2020 Sold Twice
Average Price: GBP 49,580 (USD 59,522)
Top Price: GBP 52,260 (USD 61,585) @ Forum Auctions on 24 March 2020

 

 

Flying Copper (unsigned)

2026 Auction Results

Sotheby’s London: 25 March 2026
Estimated: GBP 8,000 – 12,000
GBP 17,920 / USD 23,995

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered in pencil 59/600
With the publisher’s blindstamp, Pictures on Walls

Heritage Auctions: 29 January 2026
No Estimates Received – No Reserve
USD 27,500

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Edition: 101/600
Numbered in pencil lower right
Published by Pictures On Walls, London

2025 Auction Results

Tate Ward: 30 October 2025
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
GBP 12,500 / USD 16,780
BANKSY (British 1974-)
‘Flying Copper’ (unsigned), 2003
Screen print in colors on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 600 in pencil

Forum Auctions: 15 October 2025
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 12,000 (Hammer)
GBP 15,804 / USD 21,175

BANKSY (b.1974)
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 600 with the publisher’s blindstamp

Sotheby’s London: 24 September 2025
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 16,510 / USD 22,215

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered in pencil 387/600 with the publisher’s blindstamp

Bonhams London: 24 September 2025
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 15,000
GBP 12,800 / USD 17,220

BANKSY (British, born 1974)
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 303/600 in pencil

Tate Ward: 18 September 2025
Estimated: GBP 8,000 – 12,000
GBP 13,750 / USD 18,565

BANKSY (British 1974-)
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2003
Screen print in colours on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 600 in pencil

Tate Ward: 13 August 2025
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 15,000 / USD 20,360

BANKSY (British 1974-)
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2003
Screen print in colors on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 600 in pencil

2024 Auction Results

Forum Auctions: 4 December 2024
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
Hammer: GBP 9,500
GBP 12,730 / USD 16,525

BANKSY (b.1974)
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 600 with the publisher’s blindstamp

Sotheby’s London: 2 August 2024
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 15,600 / USD 19,970

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered in pencil 253/600

Tate Ward Auctions: 20 March 2024
Estimated: GBP 14,000 – 18,000
GBP 18,000 / USD 22,828

BANKSY (British 1974-)
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2003
Screen print in colors on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 600 in pencil

2023 Auction Results

Heffel Fine Art: 26 October 2023
Estimated: CAD 35,000 – 45,000
CAD 49,250 / USD 35,610

BANKSY
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint on paper
signed in the plate and editioned 265/600 in pencil

LA Modern: 12 October 2023
Estimated: USD 20,000 – 30,000
USD 20,160

BANKSY
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint on wove paper
Numbered 353/600 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

Sotheby’s London: 26 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 27,940 / USD 33,986

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered in pencil 511/600 with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Phillips London: 22 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 26,000
GBP 21,590 / USD 26,552

BANKSY
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 55/600 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

SBI Art Auction: 27 May 2023
Estimated: JPY 3,500,000 – 5,500,000
JPY 3,680,000 / USD 26,170

BANKSY
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint
Numbered and embossed on the lower right from the edition of 600

2022 Auction Results

Flying Copper (unsigned) sold 10 times at auction in 2022 for a total turnover of GBP 400,534 (USD 513,344) at an average price of GBP 40,053 (USD 51,334). It reached its highest price at SBI Art Auction on 29 January 2022 when it sold for USD 104,811.


Sotheby’s online: 17 August 2022
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 44,100 / USD 52,920

BANKSY
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint on wove paper
Numbered 512/600 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Sotheby’s online: 26 April 2022
Estimated: GBP 24,000 – 35,000
GBP 32,760 / USD 41,278

BANKSY
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint on wove paper
Numbered 106/600 in pencil, lower right
Christie’s online, 15 March 2022
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 37,800 / USD 49,896

BANKSY
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint on wove paper

Numbered 467/600 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

SBI Art Auction: 27 January 2022
Estimated: JPY 3,500,000 – 5,500,000
JPY 12,075,000 / USD 104,811 / GBP 76,504
BANKSY
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint
Numbered on the lower right
From the edition of 600

2021 Auction Results

Flying Copper (unsigned) sold 6 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 271,900 (USD 376,655) at an average price of GBP 45,317 (USD 62,776). It sold for its highest price of 2021 at Forum Auctions, on 27 January 2021, for GBP 64,320 (USD 88,120).

Bonhams London: 22 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 31,500 / USD 43,785
BANKSY
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint on wove paper
Numbered 353/600 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

 

Sotheby’s online: 18 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 63,000 / USD 87,570
BANKSY
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint on wove paper

Numbered 398/600 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

Forum Auctions: 5 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 38,000 (Hammer)
GBP 50,920 / USD 70,780


BANKSY (b.1974)
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 600 in pencil

Forum Auctions: 27 January 2021
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 48,000 (Hammer)
GBP 64,320 / USD 88,120BANKSY (b.1974)
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 600 in pencil

2020 Auction Results

Flying Copper (unsigned) sold 8 times at auction in 2020 for a total turnover of GBP 461,118 (USD 608,758) at an average price of GBP 57,640 (USD 76,095). It sold for its auction record at Forum Auctions, on 7 December 2020, for GBP 87,100 (USD 116,715).


Forum Auctions: 7 December 2020
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 25,000
GBP 65,000 (Hammer)
GBP 87,100 / USD 116,715
AUCTION RECORD FOR FLYING COPPER (UNSIGNED)

BANKSY (b.1974)
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 600 in pencil

Phillips Hong-Kong: 4 December 2020
Estimated: HKD 100,000 – 150,000
HKD 819,000 / USD 106,000 / GBP 79,105

BANKSY
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colours on wove paper
Numbered ‘397/600’ with publisher’s blindstamp lower right

Sotheby’s online: 18 September 2020
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
GBP 75,600 / USD 98,280

BANKSY (b.1974)
FLYING COPPER (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 337/600, with the publisher’s blindstamp

 

Flying Copper (signed)

2025 Auction Results

Christie’s London: 30 September 2025
Estimated: GBP 24,000 – 35,000
GBP 30,480 / USD 40,965


BANKSY
Flying Copper (signed), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed, dated 05 and numbered 121/150 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp
(there was also an unsigned edition of 600)

Phillips London: 5 June 2025
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 27,940 / USD 37,720
BANKSY
Flying Copper (signed), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in black ink and numbered 28/150 in pencil
(there was also an unsigned edition of 600)

2024 Auction Results

Flying Copper (signed) has not sold at auction in 2024.

2023 Auction Results

Sotheby’s online: 26 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 38,100 / USD 46,345

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Flying Copper (signed), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in black ink, dated and numbered in pencil 56/150

Forum Auctions: 30 August 2023
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
HAMMER GBP 26,000
GBP 34,840 / USD 44,325

BANKSY
Flying Copper (signed), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in black ink
Numbered in pencil from the edition of 150

Sotheby’s online: 20 April 2023
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 60,960 / USD 75,885

BANKSY
Flying Copper (signed), 2003
Signed and dated in black ink, lower right
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 53/150 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

2022 Auction Results

SBI Art Auction: 28 May 2022
Estimated: JPY 9,000,000 – 14,000,000
JPY 13,225,000 / USD 104,105 / GBP 83,900

BANKSY
Flying Copper (signed), 2003
Screenprint
Signed, dated and numbered on the lower right
From the edition of 150

2021 Auction Results

Forum Auctions: 5 March 2021
GBP 113,900 / USD 158,320
AUCTION RECORD FOR FLYING COPPER (SIGNED)

BANKSY
Flying Copper (signed), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Numbered /150 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp