The internet’s first big fad: Beanie Babies
When Beanie Babies burst onto the scene in the 1990s, the internet was still a new and wild place. But the tiny stuffed animals drove millions of people to fire up their dial-up modems and shop online — many for the first time. In this LiveNOW & Then full episode, we look back at coverage of the internet’s first big fad.
The Beanie Baby is considered one of the most popular toys of all time.
The line of stuffed animals, created by Ty Inc. and founded by Ty Warner, became a huge collectible craze in the 1990s.
These plush toys were filled with small plastic pellets and were known for their soft texture and unique, often colorful, designs.
“Beanie Babies are very interesting and they’re very indicative of the 1990s and the culture of the 1990s,” Dr. Lori Verderame (known as Dr. Lori), a renowned appraiser of antiques, collectibles and fine art told FOX Television Stations. “What we have with respect to Beanie Babies is this time when you saw multi-generational collecting, so lots of generations collecting the same thing.”
Beanie Baby mayhem
During the 1990s, Beanie Babies became highly sought after by collectors, leading to a market boom and a frenzy around their resale value. Some rare Beanie Babies were sold for thousands of dollars at their peak.
Beanie Babies sit on the shelf of a variety store. (Credit: JOYCE NALTCHAYAN/AFP via Getty Images)
These toys were released in limited quantities, making them more desirable for collectors. Some were produced with special features or mistakes that made them even rarer.
“People were waiting in lines like we wait in lines for a concert,” Dr. Lori added.
Which Beanie Babies are worth the most?
Manufacturing began in 1994, and according to Dr. Lori, the original nine Beanie Babies are considered valuable:
- Legs the Frog
- Squealer the Pig
- Spot the Dog
- Flash the Dolphin
- Splash the Whale
- Chocolate the Moose
- Patti the Platypus
- Brownie the Bear (later renamed Cubbie)
- Pinchers the Lobster
Princess the Bear, Valentino the Bear, Peace the Bear, and Mystic the Unicorn also remain some of the most valuable Beanie Babies to date.
“The untimely death of Princess Diana was extremely important and, of course, widespread in the media,” Dr. Lori explained. Released in 1997, Princess the Bear also provided an opportunity for fans to contribute to the Diana Memorial Fund, supporting many of the charities the princess championed during her lifetime.
EARLIER: What are your Beanie Babies worth today?
Dr. Lori continued, “Beanie Babies not only made their impact in the culture, but they also helped to move our culture forward in a lot of ways, especially with donating to charities and fundraisers.”
Regarding Princess the Bear, prices have fluctuated, ranging from as low as $250 to several thousand dollars, depending on the market. While values change over time, Princess the Bear has proven to be a highly lucrative investment.
Are the McDonald’s Teenie Beanies worth anything?
McDonald’s Teenie Beanies were miniature Beanie Babies that were offered in Happy Meals from 1997 to 2000. The promotion was a huge success, especially in the first year, and was one of McDonald’s most memorable Happy Meals promotions.
Dr. Lori said Teenie Beanies can have value – if they are in the original packaging.
1997: Beanie Babies available in Happy Meals
A toy has clearly hit the bigtime when McDonald’s starts including them in Happy Meals. At least one DC-area mom was pleased about it in this WTTG report from April 11, 1997.
“They definitely have value if they’re in their original bags,” she explained, noting that they do not hold as much value as Beanie Babies do, but could be valued between $10 to $50.
Are Beanie Babies worth anything today?
Experts say Beanie Babies can still be worth money today, but the value varies widely depending on factors like rarity, condition, and market demand.
“I’ve appraised them well into the thousands, close to $10,000,” Dr. Lori explained.
She mentioned that Beanie Babies purchased between 1993 and 1997 still hold significant value. However, the toy’s condition is crucial for maximizing its worth. It must have its original tag and be free of any odors.
Additionally, Beanie Babies with errors or those from limited production runs can be more valuable. While errors once played a major role in determining value, their impact isn’t as important as they once were.
