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

# David Smith (1906–1965)

## What is David Smith’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 248 auction results for David Smith at 27 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $10,571 including buyer’s premium (middle half $716–$46,755, n=36). The auction record is $9,312,500 for 5 Ciarcs (2018, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

**Top auction records: paintings, drawings & sculpture**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 Ciarcs, 1963 | Chrome steel | $9,312,500 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 2 | Agricola IV, 1952 | Stainless steel | $5,989,000 | Christie's | May 2015 |
| 3 | Agricola XIII, 1953 | Chrome steel | $5,765,000 | Christie's | Nov 2015 |
| 4 | Voltron XXIV, 1963 | Stainless steel | $5,375,000 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 5 | Tanktotem VIII, 1960 | Painted steel | $4,869,000 | Christie's | Nov 2015 |
| 6 | Circles and Angles, 1959 | Chrome steel | $4,562,500 | Christie's | May 2012 |
| 7 | DAVID SMITH (1906-1965), 1963 | Stainless steel | $3,613,000 | Christie's | Nov 2025 |
| 8 | Voltri-Bolton II | Steel | $2,994,500 | Sotheby's | May 2011 |
| 9 | Barons Moon, 1958 | Steel painted white | $2,965,000 | Christie's | May 2014 |
| 10 | Tanktotem X, 1960 | Stainless steel | $2,470,000 | Christie's | Nov 2024 |


**Median price by medium (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 57 | $762,000 |
| Paintings | 48 | $29,595 |
| Other | 23 | $27,720 |
| Works on paper | 80 | $19,085 |
| Prints | 18 | $3,540 |

**Median price by size (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 28 | $360,000 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 56 | $29,595 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 129 | $25,000 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 248 results from 27 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


David Smith is an undetermined artist with 300 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $31,070. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by David Smith sold in 2026 for $232,200, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**4 David Smith works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [David Smith on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/david-smith?ref=kg:david-smith) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a David Smith work worth?

Across 241 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a David Smith work is $31,070.

The median David Smith painting sells for $27,995 across 83 lots.

The median David Smith work on paper sells for $17,500 across 60 lots.

The median David Smith sculpture sells for $907,750 across 54 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) David Smith work on papers typically sell for $10,180–$31,205 (the middle half of 46 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) David Smith paintings typically sell for $8,890–$35,000 (the middle half of 41 sold lots).

Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 25 | $2,750† | $35,000 | 76% | 2026-06-02 |
| Paintings | 92 | $27,995†‡ | $1.2M | 90.2% | 2026-06-18 |
| Works on Paper | 77 | $17,500†‡ | $78,000 | 77.9% | 2026-06-06 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 59 | $907,750 | $9.3M | 91.5% | 2025-11-19 |
| Photography | 4 | $6,144 | $12,700 | — | 2024-10-09 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 71 | $604,800 | $9.3M | — | 2026-02-28 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

David Smith's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (25 lots) median $2,750 with 76% sell-through. Paintings (92 lots) median $27,995, record $1,152,500. A typical David Smith painting sells for around 10× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 71 lots) the median is $604,800.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 15 | $553–$6,000† | $3,048† | $35,000 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 23 | $22,658–$62,750 | $43,750 | $86,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 41 | $8,890–$35,000†‡ | $12,700†‡ | $128,500 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 17 | $455–$320,000 | $147,500 | $1.2M |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $2,000–$11,950†‡ | $8,000†‡ | $62,990 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 46 | $10,180–$31,205‡ | $18,935‡ | $78,000 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $170,000–$535,500 | $365,000 | $3M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 31 | $597,350–$1.3M | $912,000 | $5.8M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 10 | $1.3M–$5.2M | $3M | $9.3M |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2018 | $9.3M |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2015 | $6M |
| Paintings | 2018 | $1.2M |
| Paintings | 2018 | $792,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2005 | $78,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2006 | $66,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $35,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2014 | $15,360 |

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 David Smith worth?

Across 241 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a David Smith work is $31,070. The median David Smith painting sells for $27,995 across 83 lots. The median David Smith work on paper sells for $17,500 across 60 lots. The median David Smith sculpture sells for $907,750 across 54 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) David Smith work on papers typically sell for $10,180–$31,205 (the middle half of 46 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) David Smith paintings typically sell for $8,890–$35,000 (the middle half of 41 sold lots). Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is the average price of a David Smith painting?

Based on 83 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a David Smith painting is $27,995. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is David Smith's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a David Smith painting is $1,152,500.

### What is the average price of a David Smith work on paper?

Based on 60 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a David Smith work on paper is $17,500. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is David Smith's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a David Smith work on paper is $78,000.

### What is the average price of a David Smith sculpture?

Based on 54 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a David Smith sculpture is $907,750.

### What is David Smith's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a David Smith sculpture is $9,312,500.

### What is the average price of a medium David Smith work on paper?

Based on 46 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium David Smith work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $18,935, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a medium David Smith painting?

Based on 41 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium David Smith painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $12,700, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is David Smith's auction record?

David Smith's auction record is $9,312,500, set in 2018.

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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, “David Smith auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/david-smith (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.