Damien Hirst Artwork Value | Prices & How to Sell

At-a-glance: Damien Hirst

The most commercially prominent of the Young British Artists (YBAs), Hirst has produced an enormous body of work across painting, sculpture, printmaking, and installation — and his secondary market remains one of the most active in contemporary art.

Bio

Name: Damien Steven Hirst
Years Active: 1988–present
Nationality: British

Style

Conceptual art exploring themes of life, death, and beauty. Known for spot paintings, butterfly compositions, spin paintings, formaldehyde sculptures, and pharmaceutical iconography.

What to look for

Science Ltd certificates of authenticity, HENI or Other Criteria publisher marks, edition numbers, pencil or pen signatures, and blockchain certificates on newer editions.

What Damien Hirst works do people actually own?

Most Hirst works in private hands aren't formaldehyde sharks or diamond skulls. Like Warhol and Banksy, Hirst has produced extensive print editions and multiples alongside unique works — so the range of what collectors own is wide. Understanding whether you have an original or reproduction is the first step in determining value.

Spin paintings (small/event) — $1,000–$8,000
Small spin paintings created at charity events or public installations using Hirst's spinning machines. Often on paper, typically unsigned or signed casually. These are the most affordable Hirst originals but require provenance documentation — many unauthorized examples exist. A certificate from Science Ltd significantly increases value.
Butterfly & Kaleidoscope prints — $2,000–$15,000
Limited-edition prints reproducing Hirst's butterfly motifs, published by HENI Editions. Signed and numbered, often printed on aluminium composite panels with a label on the reverse. The Kaleidoscope and Butterfly series are among the more accessible Hirst editions. Smaller works and open editions sit at the lower end; larger signed prints with low edition numbers command premiums.
Spot prints — $3,000–$70,000
Screenprints and woodcuts based on Hirst's iconic pharmaceutical spot paintings, published by Other Criteria and HENI. Signed in pencil, typically in editions of 50–150. Prices vary widely by size, colour configuration, and edition — small single-row spots start around $3,000, while large multi-row prints and rare woodcut editions have sold for up to $70,000 at auction.
The Currency (physical works) — $2,000–$12,000
Part of Hirst's 2021 NFT experiment: 10,000 unique dot paintings on paper where collectors chose to keep the physical work or the NFT. Each is hand-painted with enamel paint, numbered, signed, and micro-dot stamped. Roughly 5,149 physical works survived after the exchange period closed in 2022. Market prices have fluctuated with both the art and crypto markets.
Complete print suites — $30,000–$120,000+
Full sets of major series — The Virtues (H9), Love Poems, The Empresses, and The Last Supper screenprints — command significant premiums over individual sheets. The Virtues and Love Poems complete sets have each achieved over £100,000 at Phillips. Condition across all sheets and original packaging affect value.
Spin paintings (studio, large) & unique works — $20,000–$2,000,000+
Large studio-produced spin paintings on canvas, original spot paintings, butterfly wing compositions (Kaleidoscope paintings), and pharmaceutical cabinets occupy the upper market. Medicine cabinets from the early 1990s have sold for over £1 million, while major Kaleidoscope butterfly paintings have reached £4.7 million at auction.

Formaldehyde sculptures and major installations start in seven figures and rarely appear at auction. Upload your piece for a specific estimate based on current market data.

How to verify Damien Hirst authenticity

Authentication is critical for Hirst — the volume of his output and the conceptual nature of many works (often fabricated by assistants) make provenance documentation essential. Before getting a valuation, gather these details:

Check the catalogue raisonné: The Damien Hirst Complete Spot Paintings catalogue raisonné is the only published Hirst catalogue raisonné to date; for other work types, rely on publisher records from Other Criteria and HENI Editions in collaboration with Science Ltd — a comprehensive digital catalogue is in development
Verify publisher records for prints: Most Hirst editions were published by Other Criteria (early works) or HENI Editions (recent series) — each publisher maintains records of edition sizes, numbering, and issue dates
Locate the certificate of authenticity: Science Ltd issues certificates for unique works; without one, resale value drops significantly — the certificate is considered part of the artwork itself for series like the Wall Spot paintings
Check signature placement: Prints are typically signed in pencil in the lower margin or on a reverse label for HENI aluminium-mounted editions — compare against documented examples from the same series
For newer HENI editions: Look for blockchain-verified certificates providing secure digital provenance alongside the physical work — these are increasingly standard for post-2020 releases

Upload photos of the front, back, signature, any labels or certificates, and publisher documentation for a preliminary assessment.

Get Free Valuation

Damien Hirst artwork FAQs

Start by confirming your work appears in the Damien Hirst Complete Spot Paintings catalogue raisonné (the only published Hirst catalogue raisonné to date), or check publisher records from Other Criteria and HENI Editions in collaboration with Science Ltd. For prints, check that the edition number, publisher (typically HENI or Other Criteria), and signature match documented records. The Hirst Authentication Committee (HIAC) is no longer active, so authentication now relies on provenance documentation, publisher records, and Science Ltd — for general guidance on distinguishing originals from reproductions, see our original vs print artwork guide.

Original spot paintings are unique works on canvas, typically produced by Hirst's studio assistants following his specifications, and can sell for $200,000–$2,000,000+ depending on size and date. Spot prints are limited-edition screenprints or woodcuts reproducing the spot motif, signed and numbered, typically selling for $3,000–$70,000. Understanding whether you have an original or a print edition is essential before getting a valuation.

Spin paintings vary enormously in value depending on size and origin. Small spin paintings created at events or for charity — sometimes made by visitors using Hirst's spinning machines — sell for $1,000–$8,000. Larger, studio-produced spin paintings on canvas command $20,000–$200,000+. Provenance and a certificate from Science Ltd are essential, as many unauthorized spin works exist — a free appraisal can help clarify what you have.

Complete print suites command the highest prices: The Virtues (H9) and Love Poems sets have each sold for over £100,000 at Phillips. Individual spot prints range from $3,000–$70,000 depending on size and edition, while butterfly prints and The Empresses series typically sell for $2,000–$15,000. Among YBA-era contemporaries, Hirst prints generally trade above Banksy editions but below the top tier of Warhol screenprints.

The right venue depends on value. Prints and small works under $10,000 sell well through specialist contemporary art dealers or vetted online platforms like MyArtBroker. Works valued $10,000–$100,000 suit Phillips, Sotheby's, or Christie's print sales. Above $100,000, consign to major evening sales or pursue private sale through established dealers. For pieces valued over $1,000, we can help connect you with the right channel — see our selling guide for details.

Hirst typically signs in pencil or pen, often in the lower-right area of prints or on a label affixed to the reverse for HENI editions mounted on aluminium composite panels. His signature is a fluid, informal "Damien Hirst" or sometimes just "Hirst" — compare yours to documented examples from the same series and publisher. Newer HENI editions include blockchain-verified certificates of authenticity, so check whether your work should have digital provenance documentation as well — our artwork valuation guide explains what experts assess beyond the signature.

How to sell Damien Hirst artwork

Ready to sell your artwork? Here's the process for Hirst pieces at any value level.

1

Get a valuation

Upload photos and we'll identify your piece, verify the series and edition details, assess condition and authenticity markers, and provide a realistic market value range within 24–48 hours.

2

Verify authenticity if needed

For prints, confirm that your edition number matches publisher records from HENI or Other Criteria. For unique works, locate the Science Ltd certificate of authenticity — without it, buyers will expect a significant discount or may decline entirely. For The Currency works, verify the HENI blockchain certificate and physical authentication markers.

3

Choose the right channel

Under $10K: Specialist dealers, vetted platforms like MyArtBroker, or regional auctions.
$10K–$100K: Phillips, Sotheby's, or Christie's print and editions sales.
$100K+: Major evening sales or private sale through established contemporary art dealers.

4

Prepare documentation

Gather certificates of authenticity, purchase receipts, publisher invoices, and any exhibition or loan history. For prints, document the edition number, condition of margins, and whether original packaging is intact. Collectors of Hirst often also seek work by Keith Haring and Yayoi Kusama, so dealers in those markets can be good selling channels.

Ready to get a free Damien Hirst valuation?

Upload photos of your artwork — front, back, signature, and any certificates or labels — and receive a research-backed estimate with guidance on authenticity, pricing, and selling options.