Ty Beanie Kids -  A Look at the Different Versions

Since Beanie Kids were first introduced, there have been noticeable changes to the hang tag, facial designs, clothing and code printed inside of the tush tags. 

Changes in Hang Tag
There have been three versions of the hang tag noted.  If you have a Beanie Kid with a Version 1 hang tag,  it is believed to be from the first shipment of Beanie Kids to twenty U.S. retailers and is therefore quite rare.  It is estimated that there are only 480 of each Beanie Kid produced with a Version 1 hang tag. Sellers, therefore, could make note of this difference in their auction listings or classifieds ads to attract a higher price.  

All versions of the hang tag have the fat "ty"  and the words "Beanie Kids" printed on the front. 
To see the variations, we must zoom in on the words "Beanie Kids."

When the Beanie Kids were shipped to 20 selected retailers in the U.S.A., the last "E" in "Beanie" was navy on their hang tag.

Then when the Kids started shipping to other stores, the last "E" in "Beanie" was light blue and the last "i" was yellow.

In May, the last "E" in "Beanie" became purple blue and the last "i" turned light melon.

Changes in Facial Design

In late May, collectors noticed that the face on Beanie Kids had been redesigned with those that had Version 3 of the Hang Tag. If you measure from the hairline to the beginning of the nose, the new Beanie Kids have lost 1/4" of their forehead!  Their eyebrows are therefore closer to their eyes.  Their cheeks are rosier and rounder so you see less stitching under the eye. 

Changes in Clothing

Two Versions of Girl Beanie Kids 
In May 2000, the girl's panties changed from a Velcro closure to an elastic back.  This change is significant enough to justify a higher price for the Velcro version. Beanie Kid Girls with Velcro panties may have either Version 1 or 2 Hang Tag.

If you are selling any of the girl Beanie Kids with the Velcro back, you should make note of this in your auction listing or classified ad.  This version is considered limited which should enhance it's value as a collectible.  

Boys Shorts Get Slimmer
The shorts on the Beanie Kids with Version 3 Hang Tags are narrower by approximately 1/4".  

On the inside of the tush tag is a unique 8-digit alpha numeric black serial number. The first digit is a "4", the fourth digit is an "F" and the last digit is a "5." Collectors have reported that the last digit is a "K" or a "W" on some Beanie Kids with Version 3 Hang Tag.