If you were alive in the late nineties, you probably remember the chaos. People were literally diving over suburban mall kiosks to grab a small bean-filled animal. It was a weird time. But even now, decades after the bubble burst, certain dates still make collectors perk up. One of those is July 1st.
Why? Because in the world of Ty Inc., a "birthday" isn't just a fun fact on a tag. It's a data point that can determine if that dusty toy in your attic is worth five bucks or five hundred.
What Most People Get Wrong About the July 1st Beanie Babies
Honestly, most people think there is some "super rare" July 1st limited edition bear that's worth a fortune. That's not exactly how it works. July 1st is actually the birthday of several different Beanie Babies, but the most famous one is Scoop the Pelican.
Scoop was released in mid-1996. He’s got that classic white and orange look. His tag specifically lists his birthday as July 1, 1996.
Here is the thing about Scoop: he isn't inherently rare. Ty produced millions of him. However, because he was retired on December 31, 1998, he exists in several "generations" of tags. If you have a Scoop with a 4th generation heart tag (the one with the yellow star), he's pretty common. But if you find a version with a 3rd generation tag—where the name is thin and there’s no star—you’re looking at something much more interesting to a serious collector.
The Maple Connection
Then there is Maple the Bear. This is where Canadian collectors get excited. Maple is a white bear with a red maple leaf on her chest. Her birthday? July 1, 1996.
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It makes sense. July 1st is Canada Day.
People often confuse Maple with "Erin" or "Britannia," but Maple was specifically the Canadian flagship. For a long time, she was a "country exclusive," meaning you couldn't officially get her in U.S. stores. This created a massive secondary market in the 90s. U.S. collectors would drive across the border just to buy cases of them.
The Weird Legend of the "July" Birthday Bear
Ty eventually got smart. They realized people loved birthdays. So, they released a series called the Birthday Bears.
There is a specific bear literally named July. This bear was part of the first "Birthday Bear" series released around 2001. It’s a light blue bear with a ruby-colored nose. The tag says "My nose is the color of my birthstone."
Ironically, the "July" bear often doesn't have a specific birth date listed in the poem like the original Beanies did. It just represents the month. These are cute, but they are "post-craze" toys. If you're looking for an investment, these usually aren't it. They mostly sell for $5 to $10 on eBay.
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Why July 1st Still Matters to the Market
You might be wondering why anyone still cares about a birthday on a tag. It’s about the "Errors."
Collector culture in 2026 is obsessed with perfection. If you have a Scoop the Pelican or a Maple bear with a July 1st birthday, you need to check the tush tag.
- P.E. vs. P.V.C. Pellets: Early versions used P.V.C. (polyvinyl chloride). Later versions switched to P.E. (polyethylene). P.V.C. versions of July 1st beanies are almost always more valuable.
- The "Oakbrook" Typo: Look at the swing tag. Does it say "Oakbrook" (one word) or "Oak Brook" (two words)? The one-word version is a common error on early July 1st releases and can bump the price up.
- The Canadian Flag: On some Maple bears, the flag on the chest is stitched differently. Subtle, but huge for value.
Real World Value: What Is It Actually Worth?
Let's be real. Most Beanie Babies are worth less than the gas it takes to drive them to a donation center. But for July 1st beanies, here is the current 2026 market reality:
A standard Scoop the Pelican with a 5th generation tag usually goes for $7 to $12.
A Maple the Bear with a 4th generation tag (no "Pride" on the tag) sells for about $10 to $15.
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However, if you have a "Pride" version of the bear—which was the original name for Maple before Ty changed it—you are sitting on a gold mine. Those are incredibly rare because they were pulled from production almost immediately. We're talking hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars depending on the tag condition.
Actionable Steps for Your Collection
Don't just assume your July 1st Beanie is a "common" toy. Do a quick audit.
First, check the Hang Tag. Is it bent? Creased? If the tag is damaged, the value drops by 50% immediately. Use a plastic tag protector if you haven't already.
Second, look at the Tush Tag. Find the year. If it says 1996, you're in the right ballpark. If it says 1993 or 1994, you might actually have a different animal altogether (like Patti the Platypus, who is also highly collectible but has a January birthday).
Third, check the Pellets. Squeeze the belly. If the pellets feel large and round, they are likely P.V.C. If they feel smaller and flatter, they are P.E.
Lastly, search eBay "Sold" listings—not the "Current" listings. People list Scoop for $5,000 all the time. That doesn't mean anyone is buying him for that. Filter by "Sold" to see what people are actually paying.
If you find a Maple bear with the name "Pride" on the tush tag and a July 1st birthday, stop what you're doing and get it authenticated by a professional service like Becky's True Blue Beans. That's the only way to prove to a high-end buyer that it's the real deal.