Two Different Ribbons on Sakura

Smart Collecting members have reported that there are two different colored ribbons being found on Sakura, the Japanese Exclusive Beanie Baby that was introduced on March 17, 2000 and retired on May 24, 2000.  

While both ribbons are made of a pink sheer fabric, one ribbon is a light pink color and the other is a dark pink color.  You can see the difference in the photo above sent to us by Florence in Texas.  Florence put a white tissue under the ribbon so that the difference would be noticeable in the photograph.

"I have had about 24 Sakura Beanie Babies pass through my hands, all direct from Japan," notes Deb in Maryland who also spotted the difference.  "I have noticed that the first 10 or so Sakura Beanie Babies I received had a much lighter sheer pink ribbon than the last ones I have received in trades.  The later issued Sakura Beanie Babies do indeed have a deeper darker pink ribbon that the first Sakura Beanie Babies."

Since Sakura was produced for less than 10 weeks, it would be almost impossible to determine which version is rarer.  If you have this beautiful Beanie Baby in hand, it may be fun to see which colored ribbon you have but we do not expect collectors to pay a premium for either version.  Sakura is, without a doubt, the hottest Beanie Baby of the year!

Sakura
Style #:  4602
Birthdate:  March 25, 200
Issued:  March 17, 2000
Retired:  May 24, 2000

Poem Translation:
I am a Japanese treasure.
I will bring Spring and love to you.
When you hug me, my heart gets warm,
And look !  The flower has blossomed.

Counterfeit Check:
There should be an eight digit alpha numeric number printed in black inside the tush tag.
The star on the hang tag should be the same of any of the new Ty 2000 Beanie Baby Hang Tags.

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