Street Art Authentication Guide
A collector guide to street-art authentication, provenance, certificate review, edition checks, and price-data red flags across Shepard Fairey, Banksy, KAWS, Death NYC, and related artists.
Category Standards
- Shepard Fairey: signature, numbering, edition match, source history, and condition photos.
- Banksy: Pest Control documentation for Banksy works, plus documented event provenance for Dismaland-linked material.
- KAWS: original packaging, Medicom/KAWSONE source trail, edition markings, NFC or hologram details where present, and condition evidence.
- Death NYC: artist signature, edition number, stamp, COA, gold seal or hologram, and substrate documentation.
Universal Fake Warning Signs
Documentation gaps
- No certificate reference or a certificate that cannot be matched to the piece.
- No seller chain, purchase history, or prior transaction context.
- Generic marketplace copy in place of exact edition details.
Object-level gaps
- Photos hide the signature, edition number, reverse, packaging, or condition defects.
- Materials, scale, or printing method do not match known examples.
- The price is far below the repeatable market floor without a clear explanation.
Collector FAQ
What is the safest authentication starting point?
Start with the artist or publisher standard for the exact category, then verify the object, certificate, condition, and provenance chain together.
Are all COAs equal?
No. A certificate is useful only when it can be matched to the object and verified through the relevant issuer or documentation trail.
Why does price data matter for authentication?
Suspiciously low prices can signal risk, especially when the listing also lacks clear documentation or object photos.
Source: Gauntlet Gallery category documentation standards, comp data, and authentication workflow. This page is informational and not legal, appraisal, or authentication-house advice.