It’s 2023, do you know where your Beanie Babies are? Yes, I said Beanie Babies, as in those small, not-so-plush, plastic-bean-filled animal toys you had in the ’90s. You’re going to want to find them because they might be worth LOTS of freaking money. Much like our culture has become obsessed with ’90s songs, ’90s movies, and ’90s fashion trends, some of our fave ’90s toys are getting their revere too. And this obsessive nostalgia could lead to a boost in your bank account.
But before we continue on to the hot topic of Beanie Baby value, there are a few caveats. Only v specific Beanie Babies actually rake in the big bucks on popular resale sites. And even then, the only way to attract high bids is if your Beanies are in ~pristine~ condition and you can prove their rarity (like certain color combos, limited editions, etc.). Value is also extremely subjective and, in many cases, can be inflated by the seller or cultural movements at large. The prices of the Beanie Babies on this list are what the sellers say its value is, not what a person would actually be willing to pay for it (though you do you). So take these values with a grain of salt. Still, these listings do give you a pretty comprehensive look at the kind of prices your fellow Beanie Baby collectors are asking for, and that’s as good a place to start as any. For more accurate info, consider checking out this detailed Beanie Babies pricing guide or Facebook groups and Reddit threads.
Below, we’ve rounded up the 41 most valuable Beanie Babies per resale sites, so you can get an idea of how your childhood collection might measure up.
1. the Princess Diana bear beanie baby
Ty Princess
When these Princess bears were released in 1997 in honor of Princess Diana, people couldn’t wait to get their hands on them, which probably explains why some are currently listed on eBay for $900,000. Now, whether or not someone will actually bid that much on a 26-year-old toy is another matter…
- Release date: 10/29/97
- Retirement date: 4/13/99
- Poem: Like an angel, she came from heaven above / She shared her compassion, her pain, her love / She only stayed with us long enough to teach / The world to share, to give, to reach
2. the British beanie baby
Ty Britannia
This proudly British bear was a UK exclusive when it was released in the late ‘90s, which explains why a Beanie Babie lover like myself has never seen it before.
- Release date: 12/31/97
- Retirement date: 7/26/99
- Poem: Britannia the bear will sail the sea / So she can be with you and me / She’s always sure to catch the tide / And wear the Union Flag with pride
3. the cockatoo beanie baby
Ty Kuku
The only thing that can make your Beanie Babie more valuable than that original red tag is for there to be some kind of printing error on your toy, as evidenced by the asking price for this KuKu bird.
- Release date: 5/30/98
- Retirement date: 12/23/99
- Poem: This fancy bird loves to converse / He talks in poems, rhythms and verse / So take him home and give him some time / You’ll be surprised how he can rhyme!
4. the Class of ’98 owl beanie baby
Ty Wise
If you were a graduate in 1998 and got this owl Beanie Babie as a gift… I sincerely hope you kept it.
- Release date: 5/30/98
- Retirement date: 31/12/98
- Poem: Wise is at the head of the class / With A’s and B’s he’ll always pass / He’s got his diploma and feels really great / Meet the newest graduate: Class of ‘98!
5. 2000 election beanie babies
Ty Righty & Lefty
Because who wouldn’t want two toys exclusively sold in the U.S. to forever remind you of the completely drama-free 2000 election?
- Release date: 6/24/00
- Retirement date: 12/20/00
- Lefty poem: This November make a note / The time has come for you to vote / Pick me when you have to choose / I’m a Beanie, you can’t lose!
- Righty poem: On and on the race will go / Who will win we just don’t know / No matter how this all will end / You will always be my friend!”
6. the chameleon beanie baby
Ty Rainbow
This Rainbow Beanie Babie is special because it was actually made with the incorrect fabric. The more common Rainbow has a much lighter, vibrant hue of green.
- Release date: 8/1/98
- Retirement date: 3/31/99
- Poem: Red, green, blue and yellow / This chameleon is a colorful fellow / A blend of colors, his own unique hue / Rainbow was made especially for you!
7. the rhino beanie baby
Ty Spike
This Rhinoceros comes with two mini Spikes from McDonald’s. So it’s a 3-for-1 on horned animals!
- Release date: 6/15/96
- Retirement date: 12/31/98
- Poem: Spike the rhino likes to stampede / He’s the bruiser that you need / Gentle to birds on his back and spike / You can be his friend if you like!
8. the Valentine’s Day bear beanie baby
Ty Valentino
Beanie Babies aren’t known for being particularly cuddly, but look at this little romantic guy! I bet he gives good snuggles.
- Release date: 1/7/95
- Retirement date: 12/31/98
- Poem: His heart is red and full of love / He cares for you so give him a hug / Keep him close when feeling blue / Feel the love he has for you!
9. the praying bear beanie baby
Ty Hope
Rare look at what I look like after posting my old Beanie Babies on eBay.
- Release date: 1/1/99
- Retirement date: 12/23/99
- Poem: Every night when it’s time for bed / Fold your hands and bow your head / An angelic face, a heart that’s true / You have a friend to pray with you!
10. the mama kangaroo beanie baby
Ty Pouch
If you don’t think this mama kangaroo and her baby are cute, I really don’t know what you’re doing here.
- Release date: 1/1/97
- Retirement date: 3/31/99
- Poem: My little pouch is handy I’ve found / It helps me carry my baby around / I hop up and down without any fear / Knowing my baby is safe and near
11. the bat beanie baby
Ty Batty
This Beanie Baby is special because his wings actually velcro shut around him, so you can pose him like he’s sleeping. V cute.
- Release date: 10/1/97
- Retirement date: 3/1/99
- Poem: Bats may make some people jitter / Please don’t be scared of this critter / If you’re lonely or have nothing to do / This Beanie Baby would love to hug you
12. the fuzzy bear beanie baby
Ty Curly
Curly’s unique fur sets him apart from all the other bear Beanie Babies and definitely makes him look more cuddly. 10/10 would recommend.
- Release date: 6/15/96
- Retirement date: 12/31/98
- Poem: A bear so cute with hair that’s Curly / You will love and want him surely / To this bear always be true / He will be a friend to you!
13. the goose beanie baby
Ty Honks
Say what you will about the Beanie Baby phenomenon, but it gave us this little goose named Honks, and for that I will always be grateful.
- Release date: 8/31/99
- Retirement date: 12/23/99
- Poem: Honks the goose likes to fly away / South for Winter he will stay / When Spring comes back, North he will fly / And swim in ponds and lakes nearby!
14. the parrot beanie baby
Ty Jabber
There’s something about Jabber’s eyes that really pierce the soul…
- Release date: 5/30/98
- Retirement date: 12/23/99
- Poem: Teaching Jabber to move his beak / A large vocabulary he now can speak / Jabber will repeat what you say / Teach him a new word everyday!
15. the sea otter beanie baby
Ty Seaweed
You really otter know this little furry friend’s worth!
- Release date: 1/7/96
- Retirement date: 9/19/98
- Poem: Seaweed is what she likes to eat / It’s supposed to be a delicious treat / Have you tried a treat from the water / If you haven’t, maybe you “otter”!
16. the hippie bear beanie baby
Ty Peace
Give Peace a chance…to make you rich!
- Release date: 5/11/97
- Retirement date: 7/14/99
- Poem: All races, all colors, under the sun / Join hands together and have some fun / Dance to the music, rock and roll is the sound / Symbols of peace and love abound!
17. the McDonald’s bear beanie baby
Ty The End — McDonald’s edition
Where McDonald’s toy collectors and Beanie Baby lovers collide.
- Release date: 8/31/99
- Retirement date: 12/23/99
- Poem: All good things come to an end / It’s been fun for everyone / Peace and hope are never gone / Love you all and say, “So long!”
18. this cocker spaniel beanie baby
Ty Spunky
It’ll be hard to let this darling doggo go, but just think of that nice $1,600 cash-out….
- Release date: 12/31/97
- Retirement date: 3/31/99
- Poem: Bouncing around without much grace / To jump on your lap and lick your face / But watch him closely he has no fears / He’ll run so fast he’ll trip over his ears
19. the last beanie baby (almost)
Ty The End
This bear was released when the company, Ty, initially decided to cease production. Woof, I guess happy endings do exist when they’re potentially worth $2,000.
- Release date: 8/31/99
- Retirement date: 12/23/99
- Poem: All good things come to an end / It’s been fun for everyone / Peace and hope are never gone / Love you all and say, “So long!”
20. the fox beanie baby
Ty Sly Fox
Although this isn’t the original version of the toy (the earlier version had a brown belly, not a white one), it’ll still make you some bank!
- Release date: 8/6/96
- Retirement date: 9/22/98
- Poem: Sly is a fox and tricky is he / Please don’t chase him, let him be / If you want, just say when / He’ll peek out from his den!
Written By: Olivia Truffaut-Wong, Mikhaila Archer, Ahad Sanwari and Megan Uy
This article was originally published on The cosmopolitan.