When Beanie Babies from Ty blew up in the mid-1990s, children and parents scrambled to collect the plush dolls stuffed with plastic pellets in the hope of someday owning Beanie Babies worth money.
But just before the new millennium, founder H. Ty Warner declared the end of production in 1999, and the bubble burst.
A handful of the rare plush toys can still command surprising prices today. Nostalgia, driving many collectors to reach back into their pasts, has joined rarity and condition to turn certain Beanie Babies into valuable collectors’ items again.
Fans and collectors prompted the release of a few additional toys since 1999, and a 2023 movie, “The Beanie Bubble,” rekindled interest, leading to some selling for thousands on eBay and other sites as collectors seek a piece of 90s pop culture.
Quick Look: Beanie Babies Worth Money
| Beanie Baby | Most Recent Listing and Sale Prices |
|---|---|
| Princess the Bear | Listed for $1 million |
| Peanut the Royal Blue Elephant | Listed for $15,999.00 |
| Wise the Owl | Listed for $149,000.00 |
| Valentino and Valentina Bears | Listed for $115,000.00 |
| Lefty the Donkey and Righty the Elephant | Listed for $30,000.00 |
| Peace Bear | Listed for $199,999.99 |
| Bubbles the Fish | Listed for $85,000.00 |
| Gobbles the Turkey | Listed for $50,000.00 |
| Fleece the Lamb | Listed for $15,999.00 |
| Chef Robuchon the Bear | Sold for $19,999.00 on Oct. 8 |
| Iggy the Iguana | Listed for $63,000.00 |
11 Most Valuable Beanie Babies Ever Sold
Beanie Babies may not be the rage they were from 1995 through 1999, but some remain in high demand among collectors. Consider the sales tags on these Beanie Babies worth money.
1. Princess the Bear
Released in 1997 to memorialize Princess Diana, a rare, original Princess the Bear is widely reported to have sold for $500,000. If you have one from the first 200 issued, you may be able to command five figures for what may be one of the most valuable Beanie Babies ever.
2. Peanut the Royal Blue Elephant
Peanut the Royal Blue Elephant is one of the original Beanie Babies from 1995 and is among the rarest. The plush toy was in production for just four months, and 2,000 were made before Ty changed its royal blue color to baby blue, hoping it would be more acceptable to kids. One sold for $7,000.
3. Wise the Owl
Wise the Owl soared right to the head of the class, with one toy selling for $122,000. Ready for graduation in its cap (sorry, no gown), Wise is considered one of the most collectible Beanie Babies.
4. Valentino and Valentina Bears
Valentino, a white furred bear, is slightly older than Valentina, who is fuchsia. They were released four years apart in 1995 and 1999. However, together, the couple has commanded as much as $60,000.
5. Lefty the Donkey and Righty the Elephant
Beanie Babies entered U.S. politics in 1996 with Lefty the Donkey and again in 2000 with Righty the Elephant, representing the nation’s two major political parties. A pair bearing the signature of former first lady, secretary of state and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton sold for $50,000.
6. Peace Bear
Bedecked in tie-dye, Peace Bear was the first of the Beanie Babies to bear an embroidered patch — in this case, the peace sign. Carrying words of solidarity on its tag, Peace was released in 1997 and can fetch up to $50,000.
7. Bubbles the Fish
Bubbles the Fish is a catch at six figures if you happen to hook one with a misprinted tag. Early versions of the yellow fish with black stripes may have misaligned text on the tag, and one has sold for $129,000.
8. Gobbles the Turkey
Gobbles the Turkey arrived just in time for Thanksgiving in 1997. Selling off this bird could earn you plenty of duckets to purchase Christmas presents. Gobbles has sold for as high as $25,000.
9. Fleece the Lamb
Fleece the Lamb was released in 1997. With pink stitching for a mouth set against a peach face and white exterior, it has been known to sell for as much as $20,000.
10. Chef Robuchon the Bear
Chef Robuchon the Bear is among the rare Beanie Babies released after the turn of the century. About 200 were sent as invitations to journalists, chefs and other guests for the 2006 opening of the L’Atelier Restaurant at the New York Four Seasons Hotel. It’s named for world-renowned chef Joël Robuchon and can sell for $14,000.
11. Iggy the Iguana
A first-generation Iggy the Iguana was tie-dyed by mistake when produced for a 1997 release. Apparently, the lizard’s intended color of blue got mixed up with the colors for Rainbow the Chameleon, sealing its place among rare Beanie Babies. Iggy can sell for as much as $15,000.
Are Beanie Babies Still a Good Investment?
Millions of Beanie Babies were produced in the 1990s and after 2000, but most of them aren’t worth much. However, there are a few rare editions of Beanie Babies worth money because of nostalgia and scarcity.
If you plan to clean out the attic, basement, your childhood closet or your storage unit, consider taking your time to check the tags of any Beanie Babies you come across. Even some of the most common bears can come in valuable variations.
With Beanie Babies, as with any collectible, the potential value fluctuates. Authenticity and condition will be key to how much money you might be able to sell them for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Beanie Baby is worth $100,000?
Ty launched Scoop the Pelican in 1996 and retired him in 1998. As a result of the short production run, Scoop can be valued at $50,000, with the value reaching $100,000 if it is in excellent condition and has the tag error where it is blank inside.
How do I know if my Beanie Baby is worth money?
To determine whether your Beanie Baby is worth money, first check to see that the swing/hang and tush tags are attached. Otherwise the value is reduced. Use tag information to search online for the proper identity of your Beanie Baby, observe any tag errors, look up “sold” prices on eBay and compare the condition of your toy with those online to determine a value. Also be on the lookout for counterfeits.
What Beanie Baby is worth $500,000?
In the July 2023 lead-up to “The Beanie Bubble” movie, the Chicago Sun-Times mentioned a Princess the Bear, the version made to honor Princess Diana, said to have sold for $500,000. Other reports mention that sellers are offering Princess the Bear for as much as $1 million, and Ty Collector values the toy between $10 and $150.
About Sarah Edwards
Sarah Edwards is a finance writer passionate about helping people learn more about what’s needed to achieve their financial goals. She has nearly a decade of writing experience focused on budgeting, investment strategies, retirement and industry trends. Her work has been published on NerdWallet and FinImpact.
