> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/howard-terpning · updated 2026-11-03

# Howard Terpning (b. 1927)

## What is Howard Terpning’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 127 auction results for Howard Terpning at 21 houses since 2005. Over the last 24 months the median price was $615 including buyer’s premium (middle half $373–$39,325, n=15). The auction record is $2,360,000 for Paper That Talks Two Ways – The Treaty Signing (2023, Coeur d'Alene Art Auction). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paper That Talks Two Ways – The Treaty Signing, 2008 | Oil on canvas | $2,360,000 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2023 |
| 2 | Telling of Legends, 1989 | Oil on canvas | $1,705,000 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2013 |
| 3 | Search for the Renegades, 1981 | Oil on canvas | $1,456,000 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2006 |
| 4 | The Long Shot, 1982 | Oil on canvas | $1,379,000 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2016 |
| 5 | The Stragglers, 1993 | Oil on canvas | $1,064,000 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2006 |
| 6 | Shield of Her Husband, 1981 | Oil on canvas | $1,033,000 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2013 |
| 7 | Flags on the Frontier, 2001 | Oil paint | $990,000 | Christie's | Oct 2020 |
| 8 | Scout's Report, 1988 | Oil on canvas | $977,000 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2012 |
| 9 | Whiskey Smugglers, 1998 | Gouache on paper | $819,000 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2017 |
| 10 | Treasure in the Desert, 2012 | Oil on canvas | $736,200 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2012 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 58 | $176,900 |
| Other | 14 | $53,250 |
| Works on paper | 16 | $30,250 |
| Prints | 7 | $400 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 73 | $108,900 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 19 | $615 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 127 results from 21 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Howard Terpning is an American artist with 97 auction lots recorded since 2005, median price $98,125. 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 Howard Terpning sold in 2025 for $272,250, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Howard Terpning work worth?

Across 96 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Howard Terpning work is $98,125.

The median Howard Terpning painting sells for $234,050 across 48 lots.

The median Howard Terpning work on paper sells for $31,925 across 12 lots.

The median Howard Terpning print sells for $290 across 6 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Howard Terpning paintings typically sell for $86,325–$330,000 (the middle half of 39 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 | 7 | $290† | $12,100 | 85.7% | 2026-10-17 |
| Paintings | 48 | $234,050 | $2.4M | — | 2025-07-26 |
| Works on Paper | 12 | $31,925 | $819,000 | — | 2023-07-15 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 47 | $332,750‡ | $2.4M | — | 2025-07-26 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Howard Terpning's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (7 lots) median $290 with 85.7% sell-through. Paintings (48 lots) median $234,050, record $2,360,000. A typical Howard Terpning painting sells for around 807× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 47 lots) the median is $332,750.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $196–$300† | $280† | $450 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 39 | $86,325–$330,000 | $154,700 | $1M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $387,500–$1.5M | $789,125 | $2.4M |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $28,038–$50,750 | $30,250 | $819,000 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2023 | $2.4M |
| Paintings | 2013 | $1.7M |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $819,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $375,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $12,100 |
| Prints & Editions | 2008 | $450 |

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 Howard Terpning worth?

Across 96 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Howard Terpning work is $98,125. The median Howard Terpning painting sells for $234,050 across 48 lots. The median Howard Terpning work on paper sells for $31,925 across 12 lots. The median Howard Terpning print sells for $290 across 6 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Howard Terpning paintings typically sell for $86,325–$330,000 (the middle half of 39 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 Howard Terpning painting?

Based on 48 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Howard Terpning painting is $234,050.

### What is Howard Terpning's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Howard Terpning painting is $2,360,000.

### What is the average price of a Howard Terpning work on paper?

Based on 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Howard Terpning work on paper is $31,925.

### What is Howard Terpning's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Howard Terpning work on paper is $819,000.

### What is the average price of a small Howard Terpning painting?

Based on 39 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Howard Terpning painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $154,700, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a small Howard Terpning work on paper?

Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Howard Terpning work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $30,250, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Howard Terpning's auction record?

Howard Terpning's auction record is $2,360,000, set in 2023.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Howard Terpning auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/howard-terpning (updated 2026-11-03).

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.