If you’re a collector, one of the most important questions you’ll probably want to know the answer to is, “What are the rarest Beanie Babies?”.
Various claims (and a LOT of misinformation) are all over the internet about which Beanie Babies are rare. But what is the TRUTH? Let’s take a look below.
Chef Robuchon
A select group of guests received the Chef Robuchon bear at the opening of L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon at the Four Seasons Hotel in New York.
The guests also received a red invitation card with the bear to attend the private function before the grand opening of the restaurant.
Inside the menu in the bear’s paws is Chef Robuchon’s Potato Puree recipe.
Only 200 bears were ever produced, making him undoubtedly one of the top rarest Beanie Babies!
#1 Bear
The bright red #1 Bear is also considered one of the top rare Beanie Babies! It was handed out as a gift to Ty sales representatives on 12th December 1998.
Additionally, each special edition bear was signed and numbered with only 253 ever produced!
The bear was given out in appreciation for the sale of several billion dollars of Beanie Babies in 1998.
With such a limited amount of bears and each one numbered and signed, the #1 Bear is incredibly rare!
Peanut the Elephant (Royal Blue)
Peanut is a Beanie Baby that has been subject to a lot of misinformation.
I think this has come from the fact that there are two colour variations of Peanut, this Royal Blue version and a light blue version. However, there is also some confusion surrounding the poem on the Royal Blue Peanut Beanie Buddy, which reads as follows:
“Peanut the BEANIE BABY
made in this royal blue color
is extremely rare and very valuable!”
Consequently, this appears to cause some confusion, making people think the BEANIE BUDDY is rare and expensive.
Truthfully, the only rare version of Peanut is the Royal Blue Beanie Baby colour variation, as this was the first Peanut produced. Shortly after her release, the decision was made to change her to a light blue colour. The Royal Blue colour was quickly retired, making it one of the most valuable and sought after Beanie Babies.
Humphrey the Camel
Humphrey was the first officially retired Beanie Baby.
He was only available for under a year, but with around only 25,000 ever made, he is very sought after, especially authenticated with an early generation hang tag (see the Beanie Babies Hang Tag Guide for more information).
The Beanie Buddy and McDonald’s Teenie Beanie Baby versions of Humphrey are often mistakenly thought of as rare, but unfortunately these were mass-produced and can easily be picked up cheaply.
Billionaire Bears
Billionaire was only given to Ty employees as a “Thank You” for shipping over a billion dollars of Beanie Babies since January 1998.
There were only around 1400 ever produced, giving him a spot on this rare Beanie Baby list!
Each bear was hand signed by Ty Warner himself and started off a series of more rare Billionaire bears to follow!
The Dinosaur Trio – Bronty, Rex and Steg
On the wish list of most collectors are the so-called “Dinosaur Trio”!
The Dinosaur Trio consists of Bronty, Rex and Steg and are sought after by many collectors. To have all three would be an enviable position to be in!
All three dinosaurs were released at the same time in June 1995 and were retired a year later.
They all came with a 3rd generation hang tag, however, a 1st generation black and white tush tag would be the most desirable version of these little dinos!
There is a misconception that the larger Beanie Buddy and McDonald’s Teenie Beanie Baby versions are also valuable. However, only the dinosaur Beanie Babies are considered rare.
Shampoodle
Shampoodle technically should never have been released. There was an issue with her fur falling out so she was recalled and withdrawn before release. However, a few sneakily made their way on to the market.
Those that made their way in to circulation are considered rare because they were never officially available to the public.
Shampoodle should never be given to a child as she was a recalled item. The issue with her fur prove to be dangerous, so she should only ever be displayed.
Brownie
Brownie is one of the true Original Nine Beanie Babies. Those with the Brownie name were quickly retired and re-released under the name Cubbie.
Brownie is considered one of the rarest Beanies because of his quick retirement. He always has a first generation hang tag and tush tag. However, without the hang tag it is absolutely impossible to distinguish between him and a first generation Cubbie.
Punchers
Punchers is another true member of the Original Nine. He was quickly retired as Punchers and re-introduced as Pinchers. Those with a Punchers hang tag are considered one of the rarest Beanie Babies around!
Like with Brownie/Cubbie, it would be impossible to know whether you have a first generation Punchers or a first generation Pinchers without the hang tag.
Spot the Dog (without Spot)
Another member of the true Original Nine is Spot. Curiously, Spot was first released without a spot. However, he was quickly retired and re-released including the missing black spot on his back.
The very first spotless version is the rarest version of Spot and features a 1st generation hang tag and either a 1st or 2nd generation tush tag, the 1st generation tush tags being the most valuable.
Beanie Babies with 1st Generation Hang Tags
Beanie Babies with a 1st generation hang tag (see Hang Tag Guide for more info) are always going to be valuable.
Just make sure they are genuine.
Beanie Babies with a Pre-1st Generation UK Hang Tag
This is the rarest type of hang tag known in existence!
These pre-1st generation hang tags were only available on UK first generation Original Nine Beanie Babies before they were switched to the official 1st generation hang tags.
If you own a Beanie Baby with one of these ultra-rare hang tags on it, you are, indeed, a very lucky person.
There are probably only a handful, maybe even a couple, of Beanies of each type with this hang tag still attached as most were removed or replaced before they were shipped out.
They are hardly EVER seen.
Hopefully you have enjoyed this list of rare Beanie Babies. Do you own any of those above? Who is on your wish list? Leave a comment below!
