BANKSY, DI FACED TENNERS (AP), SIGNED LITHOGRAPH ARTIST PROOF EDITION OF 32, 2004
Banksy’s famous Di Faced Tenners was produced by Banksy to look like a British £10 note, but with some controversial differences. It quickly became one of the most notorious art projects Britain has ever seen when people began using them as actual currency following the release.
In Di Faced Tenners, Banksy replaces the portrait of the Queen of England, Elizabeth II with a portrait of Diana, Prince Charles’ former wife and mother to Princes William and Harry. Diana, Princess of Wales passed away in 1997 and was known to have had a turbulent relationship with the Royal family. Banksy produced an edition of 50, which is said to have totalled some £1,000,000 in fake ten pound notes. On the reverse of the note, Banksy has written Trust No One beneath Charles Darwin, as well as using the words “Banksy of America”, he seems to be converging cultures in order to critically comment on capitalism.
The tenners found their way into people’s pockets during 2004 when they were dropped over crowds at UK Festivals, in Notting Hill and Reading. People attempted to use the Di-Faced (a pun on the word defaced, no doubt) tenners in pubs and venues around the drop zones. But they were quickly sought out and removed from circulation. Over a decade later, in 2015, it was said that the Di-Faced tenders had returned and were being distributed at Banksy’s Dismaland in Weston Super Mare, but this transpired to be a hoax.
Read more about Di Faced Tenners by Banksy.
ABOUT BANKSY
Banksy is undoubtedly the world’s most sought-after and talked about street artist, his work represents his political and social commentary on the world, and has appeared on city walls throughout it – from London to New York, from Jamaica to the Gaza Strip.
Banksy is not only known for his high profile murals, he has been releasing limited edition prints for many years, produced in various formats, including signed and unsigned works, as well as artist proofs and gift prints. However, only a very select number of people know exactly what the elusive street artist creates and how many he releases. Some editions, for example, are only made available to VIPs, collectors and friends of Banksy’s who are part of the much-coveted inner circle. This has only made the demand for his limited edition silkscreen prints and artists proofs in circulation, grow in popularity year on year. Learn more about street artist Banksy.
