> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-n-copley · updated 2026-11-02

# William N. Copley (1919–1996)

## What is William N. Copley’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 57 auction results for William N. Copley at 9 houses since 2005. Over the last 24 months the median price was $63,147 including buyer’s premium (middle half $7,095–$110,271, n=17). The auction record is $341,107 for St Valentine's Day (2021, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Valentine's Day, 1965 | Oil paint | $341,107 | Sotheby's | Jun 2021 |
| 2 | The Kids No Trooper, 1989 | Oil on canvas | $337,851 | Grisebach | Jun 2026 |
| 3 | Happy New Year, 1970 | Acrylic on canvas | $330,485 | Ketterer Kunst | Dec 2025 |
| 4 | Father, Dear Father, Come Home With Me Now, The Clock in the Steeple Strikes One (From "Come Home, Father" by Henry Clay Work), 1966 | Acrylic on canvas | $290,650 | Ketterer Kunst | Jun 2024 |
| 5 | My Mother was a Lady - like yours you will allow, 1966 | Liquitex on canvas | $260,856 | Ketterer Kunst | Jun 2025 |
| 6 | Frigid Bridget, 1966 | Acrylic on linen | $244,522 | Phillips | Mar 2024 |
| 7 | Blue Angel, 1973 | Acrylic on canvas | $177,509 | Ketterer Kunst | Jun 2026 |
| 8 | Drop that Gun, 1960 | Oil on canvas | $165,100 | Sotheby's | Mar 2024 |
| 9 | Maltese Falcon, 1973 | Acrylic on canvas | $152,245 | Ketterer Kunst | Jun 2024 |
| 10 | Bonnie + Clyde, 1973 | Acrylic on canvas | $149,992 | Ketterer Kunst | Jul 2020 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 29 | $102,400 |
| Works on paper | 12 | $12,520 |
| Prints | 9 | $438 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 12 | $109,369 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 30 | $26,171 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $6,090 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 57 results from 9 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


William N. Copley is an American artist with 66 auction lots recorded since 2005, median price $26,942.

A work by William N. Copley sold in 2026 for $102,400, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a William N. Copley work worth?

Across 57 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William N. Copley work is $26,942.

The median William N. Copley painting sells for $102,973 across 28 lots.

The median William N. Copley work on paper sells for $12,859 across 14 lots.

The median William N. Copley print sells for $438 across 10 lots.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 11 | $438 | $5,334 | 90.9% | 2026-05-22 |
| Paintings | 30 | $102,973 | $341,107 | 93.3% | 2026-07-07 |
| Works on Paper | 14 | $12,859 | $27,141 | — | 2026-10-22 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 15 | $165,100 | $341,107 | — | 2026-07-07 |

William N. Copley's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (11 lots) median $438 with 90.9% sell-through. Paintings (30 lots) median $102,973, record $341,107. A typical William N. Copley painting sells for around 235× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 15 lots) the median is $165,100.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $372–$3,199 | $410 | $5,334 |

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 14 | $85,165–$161,323 | $98,530 | $341,107 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $98,025–$211,016 | $116,338 | $337,851 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $4,216–$14,086 | $7,744 | $26,743 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $13,137–$24,748 | $18,681 | $27,141 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2021 | $341,107 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $337,851 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $27,141 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $26,743 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $5,334 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $4,125 |

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 William N. Copley worth?

Across 57 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William N. Copley work is $26,942. The median William N. Copley painting sells for $102,973 across 28 lots. The median William N. Copley work on paper sells for $12,859 across 14 lots. The median William N. Copley print sells for $438 across 10 lots.

### What is the average price of a William N. Copley painting?

Based on 28 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William N. Copley painting is $102,973.

### What is William N. Copley's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a William N. Copley painting is $341,107.

### What is the average price of a William N. Copley work on paper?

Based on 14 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William N. Copley work on paper is $12,859.

### What is William N. Copley's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a William N. Copley work on paper is $27,141.

### What is the average price of a William N. Copley print?

Based on 10 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William N. Copley print is $438.

### What is William N. Copley's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a William N. Copley print is $5,334.

### What is the average price of a medium William N. Copley painting?

Based on 14 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium William N. Copley painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $98,530, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a large William N. Copley painting?

Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a large William N. Copley painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $116,338, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is William N. Copley's auction record?

William N. Copley's auction record is $341,107, set in 2021.

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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, “William N. Copley auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-n-copley (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.