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

# Nelson Mandela (1918–2013)

## What is Nelson Mandela’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 35 auction results for Nelson Mandela at 11 houses since 2007. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,322 including buyer’s premium (middle half $932–$3,597, n=10). The auction record is $112,575 for The Cell Door, Robben Island (2019, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Cell Door, Robben Island, 1918 | Crayon | $112,575 | Bonhams | May 2019 |
| 2 | Lock, 1918 | Watercolour | $68,508 | Bonhams | Oct 2021 |
| 3 | A Cape Aloe in flower, 1918 | Pastel | $31,620 | Bonhams | Mar 2021 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | My Robben Island, 2002 | Five lithographs in colour and one monochrome (text) on BFK Rives wove | $7,535 | Roseberys London | Jun 2025 |
| 2 | My Robben Island, 2002 | Five lithographs in colour and one monochrome (text) on BFK Rives wove | $5,174 | Roseberys London | Nov 2025 |
| 3 | The Guard Tower, 1918 | Lithographs | $5,127 | Bonhams | Apr 2022 |
| 4 | Right Hand, 2003 | Lithograph on BFK rives paper | $3,688 | Roseberys London | Apr 2025 |
| 5 | The Window, 1918 | Lithographs | $3,525 | Bonhams | Apr 2022 |
| 6 | Tennis Court, from 'Reflections of Robben Island', 1918 | Lithographs | $3,364 | Bonhams | Dec 2021 |
| 7 | Hand of Africa (Right Hand), 1918 | Lithographs | $3,332 | Bonhams | Dec 2019 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Prints | 20 | $2,463 |
| Other | 6 | $1,173 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 16 | $3,328 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $1,890 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 35 results from 11 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Nelson Mandela is a South African artist with 48 auction lots recorded since 2007, median price $2,403. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Nelson Mandela sold in 2025 for $5,174, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Nelson Mandela work worth?

Across 31 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Nelson Mandela work is $2,403.

The median Nelson Mandela print sells for $2,523 across 25 lots.

The median Nelson Mandela photograph sells for $635 across 1 lots.

The median Nelson Mandela work on paper sells for $72,098 across 2 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 | 31 | $2,523† | $9,030† | 80.6% | 2025-12-04 |
| Paintings | 1 | $68,508 | $68,508 | — | 2021-10-12 |
| Works on Paper | 2 | $72,098 | $112,575 | — | 2021-03-17 |
| Photography | 6 | $635 | $635 | 16.7% | 2026-05-07 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Nelson Mandela's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (31 lots) median $2,523 with 80.6% sell-through. Paintings (1 lots) median $68,508, record $68,508. A typical Nelson Mandela painting sells for around 27× the price of a typical print.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $1,802–$3,299† | $2,463† | $5,127 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 14 | $1,530–$3,485† | $3,311† | $9,030† |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $112,575 |
| Paintings | 2021 | $68,508 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $31,620 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $9,030† |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $7,535 |
| Photography | 2026 | $635 |

† 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 Nelson Mandela worth?

Across 31 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Nelson Mandela work is $2,403. The median Nelson Mandela print sells for $2,523 across 25 lots. The median Nelson Mandela photograph sells for $635 across 1 lots. The median Nelson Mandela work on paper sells for $72,098 across 2 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 Nelson Mandela print?

Based on 25 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Nelson Mandela print is $2,523. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Nelson Mandela's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Nelson Mandela print is $9,030. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $9,030 (buyer's premium not included).

### What is the average price of a medium Nelson Mandela print?

Based on 14 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Nelson Mandela print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $3,311, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a small Nelson Mandela print?

Based on 10 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Nelson Mandela print (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,463, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Nelson Mandela's auction record?

Nelson Mandela's auction record is $112,575, set in 2019.

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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, “Nelson Mandela auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/nelson-mandela (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.