Ty was the first plush company to earn over a billion dollars. Its famous lines of Beanie Babies made its founder Ty Warner one of the richest men in the world in the late 90s and early 2000s.
These lovable stuffed animals became a phenomenon. It wasn’t always easy to find the one you wanted because they were retired every year, but the internet has brought them back.
Read on to learn how to choose the best Beanie Babies to resell or keep on your shelf.
What Are Beanie Babies?
Beanie Babies are adorable stuffed animals. They got their name from the fact that they were filled with a mix of stuffing and PVC pellets called beans. Their insides made them easier to pose.
Each one came with 2 tags. The hang tag on the ear had the Ty imprint on the front and a description of its name and style number. They also had a white tush tag on the back.
There were only 50 types available every year in limited quantities. Collectors would flood the stores before they were no longer available, hoping to sell them for a high profit later.
Beanie Babies became so popular that counterfeiters started producing fake ones in the 90s, thieves stole them from homes, and collections were even part of divorce proceedings.
Ty eventually put a stop to these shenanigans. Official, genuine Beanie Babies were produced from 1993 to the early 2000s.
How Can I Find the Best Beanie Babies for Me?
If you’re looking for an adorable little stuffed animal for you or a family member, finding the right Beanie Babies is simple. You won’t have to do much more than find the right animal or color scheme.
If you’re looking to buy one as an investment, the process gets a bit more complicated. The pillars of Beanie Baby valuation are:
- Rarity/desirability
- Condition
- Sales location
The entire line is split into Unique/Rare and Common models. Retired bears are worth more, and you can check which ones were on the official Ty website.
First edition bears are the most valuable. The tag tells you which one they’re a part of, and look for errors or misspellings that increase their rarity.
When it comes to condition, Beanie Babies can be either:
- Mint
- Near mint
- Excellent
- Very good
- Damaged or played with
The tag is one of the main factors that determine which category they fall into. The hang and tush tags should both show no signs of wear or tear.
Other factors affect a Beanie Babie’s value as well. Look for ones with:
- PVC stuffing
- Matching hang and tush tags
- A certificate of authenticity
- Provenance (i.e. correlation to a historical event)
Deciding where to buy Beanie Babies is also an important step. They were one of the first online fads and once made up 10% of all eBay listings. They can still fetch a high price there, but check valuation guides to make sure you’re paying what they’re worth.
You’ll pay the highest price at collectors’ auctions. You can also check toy stores or buy Beanie Babies at an online store that specializes in them.
Where Can I Learn More?
Beanie Babies are one of the few 90s fads that survived to the modern day. They’re all adorable, but some are rare enough to fetch a high price.
Finding the right one for you differs depending on whether you’re a buyer or seller. Look into their design, rarity, condition, and selling location.
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