Beanie Babies experienced immense popularity in the 1990s before fading into obscurity, attracting a new audience of collectors. While the valuable, limited edition Beanie Babies market may have dwindled, there are still a few rare gems that command substantial prices. If you possess any of these plush toys filled with plastic pellets, you’re likely curious to know if you’re holding onto a valuable item. So, which Beanie Babies are considered valuable?
Some of these small stuffed animals, once sold for mere dollars, now fetch thousands of dollars in the secondary market. Typically, Beanie Babies that command the highest prices are rare editions with unique styling variations or production errors.
To assist you in determining the worth of your collection, GOBankingRates has curated a list of the top 10 Beanie Babies that have garnered the highest prices on eBay. While prices can fluctuate based on condition, seller, and rarity, here are some essential insights:
Limited quantity Beanie Babies with intact Tush Tags are no longer a craze among collectors, but rare versions can generally fetch between $1,000 to $3,500.
The original nine Beanie Babies, along with characters like Princess the Bear, Brownie the Bear, Valentino, Flash the Dolphin, Legs the Frog, Pinchers the Lobster, and Mystic the Unicorn, remain highly sought-after today.
Sub-categories such as McDonald’s Teenie Beanies, distributed in Happy Meals from 1997 to 2000, hold value if still in their original packaging.
Here are details on 10 examples of the priciest Beanie Babies and their potential worth:
**1. Princess Diana Bear (With Errors)**
– Selling for $50,000 to $325,000 on eBay
– Introduced on Oct. 29, 1997, and retired on April 13, 1999, this Beanie Baby was created in honor of the late Princess Diana. This royal purple bear features a purple ribbon around its neck and an embroidered rose on its chest. While some may sell for a few thousand dollars, rare versions with errors can command exceptional prices from collectors.
**2. Valentina the Bear**
– Selling for $19,000 on Etsy
– Born on Valentine’s Day in 1998, the seller highlighted errors and peculiarities on the tags, loop, and included poem. Despite the steep price, fervent buyers can acquire this item for anywhere between $3,300 to $19,000.
**3. Pinchers the Lobster**
– Selling for $15,000 on Etsy
– Dating back to 1993, this Ty Beanie Baby is one of the original nine and a rare discovery. While he may pinch and savor his food inch by inch, his rarity makes him a valuable find. Depending on condition, versions of this toy can sell for hundreds to several thousand dollars
Luxury Beanie Babies for Collectors
Gobbles the Turkey
Listed at $19,999.20 on Etsy, Gobbles is a charming brown turkey with a yellow beak and accents of red on its head and wings. Released on Oct. 1, 1997, and retired on March 31, 1999, Gobbles had a longer production run compared to others. Despite having PVC pellets and tag errors, a seller and buyer saw this Beanie as a collector’s item valued between $3,000 to $20,000.
Brownie the Bear (With Korean Tags)
Available for $1,399.95 on eBay, Brownie stands out with its rare Korean tags and certificate of authenticity from Becky’s True Blue Beans. This light brown bear features black button eyes, a brown button nose, and a tan muzzle. Released in March 2005 without a birthday, Brownie was retired approximately 18 months later.
Peanut the Elephant, Royal Blue
Listed at $5,000 on Etsy, this authenticated royal blue version of Peanut the Elephant was in mint condition with tags. Originally introduced on June 3, 1995, and retired on Oct. 2, 1995, this particular version was a production error, making it highly sought after.
Iggy the Iguana
Priced at $10,000 on Etsy, Iggy the Iguana was born on Aug. 12, 1997, released in 1998, and retired on Jan. 1, 1999. With four variants created, Iggy remains a valuable collectible among Beanie Baby enthusiasts.
Coral Casino Bear
Listed for $4,399.95 on eBay, the Coral Casino Bear is a prized possession among collectors, fetching anywhere from $500 to over $5,000 for authenticated and signed versions.
Patti the Platypus
Offered at $16,500 on Etsy, Patti the Platypus is one of the original nine Beanie Babies. Debuting on Jan. 6, 1993, and retired on Jan. 5, 1998, Patti features a fuchsia-purple body, black-button eyes, and yellow feet and beak.
Remember to do thorough research before investing in collectible Ty Warner Beanie Babies to avoid falling for inflated prices. Be cautious of phony listings that may artificially raise prices. It’s important to rely on reputable dealers and authentication services when buying and selling these valuable items.
