The most expensive Beanie Baby set in the world is currently valued at $600,000. That’s nothing to scoff at, so if you’ve got Beanie Babies in the attic, it’s time to check them out!
There have been tons of Beanie Babies created over the years, though. If you’re hoping to find one that has value, then you need to know what to look for. Often, the most valuable ones are first edition Beanie Babies or ones with ear tag errors.
Are you currently going through your collection? Are you wondering what exactly to look for? Read on to learn how to identify a first edition and spot a rare ear tag error on your TY toys.
Identification: How to Tell if a TY is a First Edition
Did you know that there are different types of Beanie Babies? Unless you’re a collector, you might not realize how many TY editions there are in existence. After all, you’d think they’d be scarce considering how some have such a high value.
Beanie Babies were first introduced to the world in November of 1993 at a Tennessee gift show. The nine-item line included the following iconic Beanies:
- Flash the Dolphin
- Chocolate the Moose
- Spot the Dog
- Legs the Frog
- Squealer the Pig
- Splash the Whale
- Brownie the Bear
- Patti the Platypus
- Pinchers the Lobster
The same creatures are available as newer editions, too, though. Plus, more 1st edition TYs got added to the line in 1994. To ensure you’ve got a first edition, you need to look at the hang tag.
1st edition tags do not open like a book. The tag should also have the year 1993 or 1994 on the back. The originals got made in China or Korea.
Look For Signs of Rare Ear Tag Errors
Among the iconic first nine Beanies, collectors started to notice something odd. Most of the lobsters had a tag with the name “Pinchers” but a few said “Punchers.” These lucky collectors were the first in history to receive a rare ear tag error TY!
Errors happen as a result of a printing mistake, and they increase the value of any plush.
How Much Are First Edition or Rare Beanie Babies Worth?
So, how much are your first edition Beanie Babies worth? The answer depends on certain important valuation factors.
If your plush is in good condition and still has its tags, then it could be pretty valuable. If the tags are missing or it’s in bad shape, then it’s likely not worth much.
Do You Have a Few First Edition Beanie Babies?
Now that you know what to look for, are you ready to dig through your old Beanie Baby stash? If you can find a few first edition Beanie Babies, then you could be sitting on a gold mine! If you find a rare ear tag error, then you could have a one-of-a-kind TY!
Are you only finding generic or common TY types in your collections? Don’t worry!
Those adorable plush toys have value, too. In fact, you can sell your old toys to us here at Plush Collector. Scroll through our catalog to see how much you could earn today.