The auction history of Choose Your Weapon provides one of the most fascinating case studies within the Banksy market. Unlike editions such as Bomb Love, Laugh Now, or Love Is In The Air, this series is not a single image released in a single edition. Instead, it is a family of closely related works issued in multiple colorways, edition sizes, Artist’s Proofs, Queue Jumpers, and special variants. As a result, the market behaves less like a traditional print edition and more like a miniature collecting ecosystem.

Released in 2010 through Pictures on Walls, Choose Your Weapon depicts a hooded figure walking a dog inspired by Keith Haring’s iconic barking dog motif. The image serves simultaneously as an homage to Haring, a reflection on artistic influence, and a commentary on identity, rebellion, and cultural power. The work occupies a special place within Banksy’s oeuvre because it directly acknowledges one of the most important artists in the history of street art while transforming Haring’s joyful symbol into something darker and more confrontational.

The market recognized this importance very early. Even before the pandemic-era expansion, Choose Your Weapon was already trading at levels significantly above many other Banksy editions. Between 2018 and 2019, most examples sold between approximately $50,000 and $70,000 depending on color and rarity. These were already substantial prices for contemporary prints and reflected the image’s established reputation among collectors. The market changed dramatically during 2020. As collector demand accelerated across the entire Banksy market, Choose Your Weapon emerged as one of the strongest beneficiaries of the boom. Unlike many editions where value was driven primarily by scarcity, collectors began competing for specific colors and variants. This created multiple overlapping markets within the broader series.

By 2021, the work entered a period of extraordinary market exuberance. Numerous examples sold above $200,000, while several exceeded $300,000. The most spectacular result in the dataset occurred in March 2021, when the Fluoro Green version sold through Sotheby’s Online for approximately $420,335. Other rare variants including VIP Gold, Artist’s Proofs, and Bright Pink examples achieved similarly remarkable results. The 2021 median transaction value reached approximately $236,000, confirming that the appreciation extended far beyond a handful of exceptional outliers. During this period, Choose Your Weapon evolved from a popular Banksy print into a trophy asset category within the artist’s market.

The correction began in 2022 but initially remained relatively moderate. Strong prices continued to be achieved for rare colors and Artist’s Proofs, although overall momentum began to weaken. By 2023, the market had clearly entered a normalization phase. Prices generally ranged between approximately $90,000 and $175,000, with only the rarest examples continuing to command significant premiums. The normalization continued through 2024 and 2025. Recent sales have largely fallen between approximately $60,000 and $110,000 depending on color, rarity, and provenance. This represents a substantial decline from the speculative highs of 2021 but still places the work well above pre-pandemic levels.

Importantly, the market has not collapsed. Instead, it has become increasingly selective. Collectors now distinguish far more carefully between standard color editions, Queue Jumpers, Artist’s Proofs, and especially desirable colors. The result is a market that appears healthier and more sophisticated than during the speculative frenzy of 2021.

One of the most interesting aspects of Choose Your Weapon is the extraordinary influence of color on valuation. Unlike many print series where color variations produce only modest premiums, Banksy collectors often treat individual Choose Your Weapon variants almost as separate artworks. Certain colors consistently outperform the broader market, while others trade at significant discounts despite sharing the same composition. This creates a hierarchy rarely seen elsewhere in the Banksy market. The image itself remains highly desirable, but rarity and color preference increasingly determine pricing. Consequently, understanding the series requires analyzing both the overall market and the performance of individual variants.

Part of the series’ enduring appeal lies in its relationship to Keith Haring. The barking dog was one of Haring’s most recognizable motifs and became a symbol of activism, energy, and social engagement. By incorporating the dog into Choose Your Weapon, Banksy effectively places himself within a lineage of socially engaged public artists. Collectors understand this connection. The work is not merely another Banksy print; it is a dialogue between two of the most influential artists in the history of street art.

Key Takeaways

1. Choose Your Weapon experienced one of the strongest pandemic-era expansions of any Banksy print series
2. The 2021 results above $300,000 now appear historically exceptional and strongly influenced by speculative conditions.
3. The market has normalized substantially since 2022, but values remain materially above pre-pandemic levels.
4. Color rarity plays a much larger role here than in most Banksy editions.
5. Artist’s Proofs, Queue Jumpers, and VIP variants command substantial premiums.
6. The Keith Haring connection contributes significantly to the work’s long-term appeal.
7. The series remains one of the most liquid and actively traded Banksy print franchises.
8. Current prices suggest a healthier collector-driven market that rewards rarity and image quality rather than pure speculation.

Among all the Banksy prints analyzed so far, Choose Your Weapon stands out as perhaps the most sophisticated market. It is no longer merely a single print edition; it has evolved into a complete collecting category within Banksy’s oeuvre, with its own hierarchy, its own premium segments, and its own dedicated collector base.