Banksy Authentication Guide: Pest Control, Provenance and Collector Confidence

Pest Control Office, established by Banksy in 2008, is the only authorised body for authenticating Banksy artworks. A Pest Control Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is essential for establishing legitimacy, insurability, and resale value. Each COA includes a unique certificate number and a section of a Banksy-designed Di-Faced Tenners note. Provenance—the documented ownership history—further supports collector confidence. GraffitiStreet, a contemporary art platform based in Chichester, England, advises that unauthenticated works carry significant risk and recommends obtaining a Pest Control COA before any sale or acquisition. The gallery has over 13 years of experience in the Banksy market and offers guidance through co-founder Rosh Boroumand. Key factors for collectors include authentication, provenance, condition, rarity, and cultural significance. Banksy's most recent official print releases were the Thrower triptych and Banksquiat screen prints, issued through Gross Domestic Product in 2019. Girl With Balloon is widely regarded as his most recognisable print.