If you were anywhere near a Hallmark store in the mid-nineties, you remember the sweat. The frantic energy. The way grown adults would practically tackle each other for a small pellet-filled animal. Among the "Original Nine" that started the whole craze back in late 1993, there is one specific birthday that rings a bell for serious hunters: August 10.
That's the day Snort the Red Bull was "born."
Snort isn't just another plush toy. He represents a very specific moment in Ty Warner’s marketing genius—the transition from "Tabasco" to "Snort" due to a trademark dispute with the McIlhenny Company (the folks who make the hot sauce). Because of that legal pivot, the August 10 Beanie Baby became a household name for anyone trying to flip toys for a profit. But honestly, if you're looking at your old bin in the attic, the reality of what that August 10 birthday means for your wallet is probably different than what you saw on some clickbait eBay listing.
The Snort vs. Tabasco Confusion
Let’s clear something up. People get these two confused constantly. Tabasco was the original bull. He looked almost exactly like Snort, but he had all-red feet. Ty got hit with a "cease and desist" because, well, you can't just name a red bull after a famous hot sauce without asking.
So, Ty changed the name to Snort.
The August 10 Beanie Baby (Snort) officially hit the scene in 1997. He has little white "hooves" or "socks" on his feet to differentiate him from his predecessor. If you have a red bull with an August 10, 1995 birthday inside the heart tag, you have a Snort. If it says Tabasco, you’re looking at a different beast entirely.
The funny thing? Snort was produced in massive quantities. Unlike the rare 1st-generation whales, Snort was a 4th-generation and 5th-generation staple. You'll find him with both the "star" tag and the later "swirly" tag. Most people think "old" means "expensive." In the Beanie world, that's a rookie mistake. Scarcity is the only thing that actually moves the needle.
Why Collectors Care About the August 10 Birthday
It’s about the tag. Always.
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The August 10 Beanie Baby poem is one of those classic, slightly cheesy Ty rhymes:
Along the road, the people stared
Someone asked, "Is he scared?"
No, he's confident, that's the truth
He's been an athlete since his youth!
Collectors obsess over the birthday because it’s how they verify authenticity and generation. If you see a Snort with an August 10 birthday but the tag has a typo—like "Gasport" instead of "Gosport" or a double space in the poem—the value shifts. Not by thousands, mind you. Usually by about five bucks.
The market for Snort is weird.
You’ll see listings on eBay for $10,000. Don't fall for it. Those are often money laundering schemes or just people who are severely misinformed. A standard, mint-condition Snort the Bull with his August 10 birthdate usually sells for between $5 and $15. If it’s authenticated by a service like Becky’s True Blue Beans, maybe you get $30.
What to look for on the tag:
- The Tush Tag: Check the year. A 1995 Snort tush tag paired with a 4th-gen hang tag is the standard.
- The Birthday: It should clearly state August 10, 1995.
- The Red Ink: Authentic Ty tags have a very specific shade of red. If it looks orange-ish or "off," it might be a knockoff from the late-nineties "counterfeit era."
The Market Reality in 2026
The Beanie Baby bubble didn't just pop; it disintegrated. However, there’s been a weird nostalgia resurgence lately. Gen Z is starting to buy these because they think they're "vintage kitsch."
For the August 10 Beanie Baby, this means there is actually a high volume of trades, just at low prices. It’s a "liquidity" toy. It’s easy to sell, just not for a house down payment. You’ve got to be realistic. Unless your Snort has a rare manufacturing error—like a missing "UK" after the 5TX postcode or a completely blank tush tag—it’s a sentimental piece, not an investment.
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Nuance matters here. A "Lefty" or a "Brittania" might fetch more due to regional variations, but Snort was a global release. He was everywhere. From the local pharmacy to the big-box toy stores. That saturation is why he's so common today.
Spotting the Rare August 10 Variations
Is every Snort the same? Not quite.
There are "stiff" versions and "soft" versions. Some collectors swear the stuffing consistency changed mid-production in 1997. Then you have the tag variations.
- The "No Stamp" Tush Tag: Earlier Snorts didn't have a red stamp inside the tush tag. These are slightly more desirable.
- The "Canadian" Tag: If your Snort has an extra black-and-white tush tag required by Canadian law (the "tushie tag"), it can add a tiny premium for "completionist" collectors.
- The PVC vs. PE Pellets: This is the big one. Early Snorts used PVC pellets. Later ones used PE (polyethylene). Most collectors prefer PVC because it’s "original," though the environmentalists in 2026 might disagree.
Honestly, the August 10 Beanie Baby is the perfect entry point for a new collector. It’s cheap. It’s cute. It has a cool backstory involving a lawsuit. What more do you want from a $10 beanbag?
Actionable Steps for Owners
If you just dug a Snort out of a box in your garage, here is exactly what you should do. Don't rush to list it for a million dollars.
First, check the Hang Tag. Is it creased? Is there a price sticker on it? If the tag is bent or "cracked," the value drops by 50% instantly. Serious collectors use plastic tag protectors. If yours has been naked in a box for thirty years, it’s probably a "play" grade item.
Second, look for the "Stamp." Open the tush tag. Look for a small red circular stamp. If there is a number like 401 or 452, it means it was mass-produced in a specific factory. A "no-stamp" Snort is the one you want to keep.
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Third, check for the "Space" error. Look at the poem. Is there a weird extra space between "truth" and the exclamation point? Or between two other words? These "errors" were actually just common typesetting mistakes, but they help identify which print run your bull came from.
Fourth, check the feet. If they are red, stop everything. You don't have a Snort. You have a Tabasco. And if that Tabasco is in mint condition, you’re actually looking at a couple of hundred dollars.
Finally, don't clean it. If it’s dusty, use a very soft brush. Never put a Beanie Baby in the washing machine. It ruins the "hand feel" of the fabric and can cause the pellets to degrade.
The August 10 Beanie Baby remains a symbol of an era where we all collectively lost our minds over plushies. It’s a piece of history. Even if it won’t pay for college, it’s a fun reminder of the Great Beanie Bubble.
For those looking to sell, skip eBay’s "Buy It Now" at high prices. Look at "Sold" listings only. That's the only way to see what people are actually paying. In 2026, the data shows that Snort is a steady mover in the "nostalgia" category, often bought as a birthday gift for people born on—you guessed it—August 10.
Keep your expectations low and your tags protected. That is the only way to survive the Beanie market without losing your sanity.