By Zaid, Gallery Director at Creed Gallery | @theartadvisors
Few objects in contemporary art carry the sly, subversive weight of Banksy's Di-Faced Tenner. At first glance, it looks like a simple £10 banknote. Look closer and you'll see Princess Diana's face replacing the Queen's, with the Bank of England substituted for the Banksy of England. It's provocative, political and iconoclastic - everything Banksy is known for.
But this note isn't merely a prank - it's a significant artefact in the evolution of street art as fine art. As a gallerist with deep roots in this movement, I believe understanding the Di-Faced Tenner is vital for any collector looking to grasp the foundations of 21st-century rebellious art.
Banksy first introduced the Di-Faced Tenner in 2004. Rumour has it over £1 million worth of fake tenners were printed and thrown into a crowd at the Notting Hill Carnival and Reading Festival. Some people unknowingly tried to spend them. The move was classic Banksy: part performance art, part institutional critique, part comedic anarchy. The Diana portrait wasn't chosen at random - she symbolised a different kind of monarchy, a people's princess, cast in the context of royal currency.
In 2019, The British Museum formally acquired a Di-Faced Tenner into its Currency Collection, recognising it not merely as a pop-cultural curiosity, but as a legitimate artefact of political and artistic significance. This acquisition marked a defining moment in the evolution of street art; a genre once dismissed as vandalism, now preserved as part of Britain's cultural heritage. With the Tenner now residing in one of the world's most prestigious institutions, it affirms Banksy's position as a pivotal figure in 21st-century visual culture. Beyond the individual work, this inclusion signals a broader shift - institutions are increasingly recognising street art as historical documentation. The Di-Faced Tenner is no longer a novelty; it stands as a serious artefact in the ongoing conversation about how art can challenge authority, systems, and power structures.
Owning a Di-Faced Tenner is not simply about possessing a Banksy. It's about owning a piece of contemporary mythology - a physical manifestation of how far street art has come.
Its value continues to rise, not just financially, but symbolically. Limited in circulation and often used for authentication certificates of other Banksy prints by Pest Control, the notes are increasingly rare to source.
The Tenner's transformation from prank to fine art is reflected in its growing market value and strong auction interest. In June 2021, a set of five Di-Faced Tenners sold for £7,560 at Forum Auctions, London - a clear sign of its rising status among collectors. Even single notes consistently achieve figures around £2,500, depending on condition, provenance, and presentation. What was once tossed into festival crowds now finds itself carefully preserved in museum-grade framing and held in serious private collections - a journey that perfectly mirrors the ascent of street art from subculture to blue-chip asset.
At Creed Gallery, we currently offer authenticated Di-Faced Tenners available for purchase. Each note has been:
-
Expertly verified for authenticity by us and trusted third-party sources
-
Conservation framed using archival materials to museum standards
-
Professionally mounted by one of the UK's most respected Banksy framers, ensuring both protection and presentation
Collectors can rest assured they are acquiring a genuine piece of cultural history, ready to display and preserve.
The Di-Faced Tenner stands as a modern icon - irreverent, intelligent and increasingly rare. For those with a discerning eye for value, symbolism and statement, this work is more than a collectible - it's a cornerstone.
To enquire about availability, pricing, or to arrange a private viewing, contact the team at art@creedgallery.com.
