“A black print of a leopard on an off white unbleashed paper with spot varnish finish. Every bit as good as that sounds.”

Barcode, also known as Barcode Leopard, shows a majestic leopard in the foreground who just escaped from his cage, resembling a barcode on wheels. At first sight, this print is a clear criticism on the way humans use animals for their own entertainment, having created zoos or sea-parks. The barcode serves as a symbol of consumerism and capitalism. Indeed, it was introduced in the 1970’s to standardize consumer’s products, in order to make people purchase more in a faster and more efficient manner. The leopard is demonstrating the ability we all have to free ourselves from the power of consumerism.

Furthermore, another interpretation links the choice of the leopard and the barcode by their unique character. Just as all leopards have a unique pattern of spots, all barcodes have unique combinations too. The big cat embodies the diversity of form, whereas the notion of consumerism suggested through the image of the barcode evokes homogeneity.

Auction Market Overview

Barcode (unsigned)

2026 Auction Results

Heritage Auctions: 29 January 2026
No Estimates Received – No Reserve
USD 20,000

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Barcode (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in black on wove paper
Edition: 323/600
Numbered in pencil lower right
Published by Pictures On Walls, London

2025 Auction Results

BANKSY
Barcode (unsigned), 2004
Serigraph on firm wove paper
One of 600 numbered copies
With red “BANKSY” stamp lower left

2024 Auction Results

Barcode (unsigned) sold 3 times at auction in 2024 for a total turnover of GBP 48,7204 (USD 61,222), at an average price of GBP 16,068 (USD 20,407). Its highest price for 2024 of GBP 19,680 (USD 25,015) was achieved at Roseberys on 5 March 2024.

Tate Ward Auctions: 20 March 2024
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 16,250 / USD 20,609

BANKSY (British 1974-)
Barcode (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint on wove paper
Numbered 62/600 in pencil, rubberstamped ‘Banksy’ in Red Ink

Roseberys London: 5 March 2024
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 19,680 / USD 25,015

BANKSY (British b.1974)
Barcode (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove
Numbered 135/600 in pencil, with stamp signature in red

Michaan’s Auctions: 16 February 2024
Estimated: USD 20,000 – 30,000
USD 15,600

BANKSY (British, b. 1974),
Barcode  (unsigned), 2004,
Screenprint on woven paper
Stamped lower left, edition 119/600 lower right
Condition: Previously rolled and handling wear

2023 Auction Results

Barcode (unsigned) sold 5 times at auction in 2023 for a total turnover of GBP 133,721 (USD 166,297), at an average price of GBP 26,744 (USD 33,259). Its highest price for 2023 of GBP 32,760 (USD 40,295) was achieved at Christie’s online on 14 March 2023.

Bonhams London: 29 March 2023
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 22,950 / USD 28,253

BANKSY
Barcode, 2004
Screenprint on wove paper
Numbered 359/600 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

Christie’s Online: 14 March 2023
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 32,760 / USD 40,295

BANKSY
Barcode, 2004
Screenprint on wove paper
Stamped with the BANKSY tag in red ink
Numbered 536/600 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

Phillips London: 19 January 2023
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 30,240 / USD 37,195

Heritage Auctions: 29 November 2022
Estimated: USD 20,000 – 30,000
USD 28,750

BANKSY
Barcode (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint on wove paper
Numbered 239/600 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right
Stamped with the BANKSY tag in red ink, lower left

Forum Auctions: 8 November 2022
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 32,830 / USD 38,055

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Barcode (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 600, with the red Banksy tag as issued, with the publisher’s blindstamp

Sotheby’s online: 17 August 2022
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 25,200 / USD 30,240

BANKSY
Barcode (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint on wove paper
Numbered 323/600 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right
Stamped with the BANKSY tag in red ink, lower left

Tate Ward Auctions: 7 December 2021
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 35,000 / USD 45,790

BANKSY (British 1974-)
Barcode (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint on wove paper
Numbered 45/600 in pencil, stamped in red ink

International Art Center: 27 July 2021
Estimated: NZD 80,000 – 120,000
NZD 111,625 / USD 82,162 / GBP 59,109

BANKSY
Barcode (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint on wove paper

Numbered 428/600 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

Stamped with the BANKSY tag in red ink

Forum Auctions: 5 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 80,400 / USD 110,148

HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR BARCODE (UNSIGNED) IN 2021

BANKSY (b.1974)
Barcode (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint on wove paper
Stamped with the red Banksy tag
Numbered 533/600 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp

Phillips London: 21 January 2021
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 75,600 / USD 105,000

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Barcode (signed)

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2025 Auction Results

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Barcode (signed) did not sell at auction in 2025.

2024 Auction Results

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Christie’s online: 1 October 2024
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 37,800 / USD 50,274

BANKSY
Barcode (signed), 2004
Screenprint in black on wove paper
Signed in pencil, stamped with the BANKSY tag in red ink
Sated and numbered 78/150 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

Bonhams online: 20 March 2024
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 43,520 / USD 55,193

BANKSY (born 1974)

Barcode (signed), 2004
Screenprint
Signed and dated in black ink, numbered 122/150 in pencil

2023 Auction Results

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Sotheby’s London: 26 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 53,340 / USD 64,882

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Barcode (signed), 2004
Screenprint on wove paper
Signed in black ink, dated, numbered in pencil 28/150
Stamped with the BANKSY tag in red ink

Sotheby’s online: 20 April 2023
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 76,200 / USD 94,857

BANKSY
Barcode (signed), 2004
Screenprint on wove paper
Signed and dated in black ink, lower left with the BANKSY tag in red ink
Numbered and inscribed 30/150 DN in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

Bonhams London: 19 April 2023
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 53,220 / USD 66,210

BANKSY
Barcode (signed), 2004
Screenprint on wove paper
Signed and dated in black ink, with the artist’s ink stamp, lower left
Numbered 19/150 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

2022 Auction Results

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Bonhams London: 13 December 2022
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 53,220 / USD 65,857

BANKSY
Barcode (signed), 2004
Screenprint on wove paper
Signed and dated in black ink, lower left
Numbered 30/150 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

Sotheby’s online: 17 August 2022
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 75,600 / USD 90,720

BANKSY
Barcode (signed), 2004
Screenprint on wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, with the BANKSY tag in red ink, lower left
Numbered 96/150 in pencil, lower right

Sotheby’s online, 26 April 2022
Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 100,000

GBP 88,200 / USD 111,132

BANKSY
Barcode (signed), 2004
Screenprint on wove paper

Signed and dated in black ink, lower left

Numbered and inscribed 22/150 DN in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

Stamped with the BANKSY tag in red ink, lower left

Forum Auctions: 3 March 2022
Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 90,000
GBP 104,250 / USD 142,147
HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR BARCODE (SIGNED) IN 2022

Bonhams online: 29 June 2021
Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 100,000
GBP 94,000 / USD 130,017

Forum Auctions: 27 October 2020
Estimated: GBP 80,000 – 120,000
GBP 104,000 (Hammer)
GBP 139,360 / USD 183,955

BANKSY (b.1974)
Barcode (signed), 2004
Screenprint on wove paper
Signed and numbered from the edition of 150 in pencil
With the red Banksy tag
Printed and published by Pictures on Walls, London