> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/bernice-sims · updated 2026-11-02

# Bernice Sims (1926–2014)

Bernice Sims is an African-American artist with 39 auction lots recorded since 2007, median price $650. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Bernice Sims sold in 2026 for $2,413, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Bernice Sims work worth?

Across 33 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bernice Sims work is $650.

The median Bernice Sims painting sells for $650 across 31 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Bernice Sims paintings typically sell for $294–$1,107 (the middle half of 28 sold lots).

Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 36 | $650† | $2,413 | 86.1% | 2026-05-19 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $1,800† | $2,413 | — | 2026-04-02 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 28 | $294–$1,107† | $600† | $1,800† |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2026 | $2,413 |
| Paintings | 2021 | $1,800† |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

The highest recorded result in each medium. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Bernice Sims worth?

Across 33 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bernice Sims work is $650. The median Bernice Sims painting sells for $650 across 31 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Bernice Sims paintings typically sell for $294–$1,107 (the middle half of 28 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Bernice Sims painting?

Based on 31 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Bernice Sims painting is $650. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Bernice Sims's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Bernice Sims painting is $2,413.

### What is the average price of a medium Bernice Sims painting?

Based on 28 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Bernice Sims painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $600, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Bernice Sims's auction record?

Bernice Sims's auction record is $2,413, set in 2026.

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Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Bernice Sims auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/bernice-sims (updated 2026-11-02).

Historical auction data, not investment advice. Prices are premium-inclusive USD where the buyer's premium is recorded. Figures marked † are hammer prices (buyer's premium not included); ‡ marks a price whose basis is not yet verified. Non-USD results are converted at the sale month's rate.