You’re digging through a plastic bin in the attic. Maybe it’s a garage sale find. Suddenly, you spot that familiar red heart tag. You flip it open, and there it is: November 19.
Whether you’ve found Scorch the Dragon, Whittle the Bear, or Star the Angel Bear, that specific date triggers a weird mix of nostalgia and "is this worth thousands of dollars?" anxiety. People see a date from the late '90s or early 2000s and immediately think they’ve struck gold. Honestly? It’s usually more complicated than that.
The November 19 Beanie Baby isn't just one toy. It's a handful of specific releases that Ty Warner's empire dropped over several years. If you’re looking at Scorch—arguably the most famous of the bunch—you’re looking at a piece of toy history that still manages to confuse people decades after the "Beanie Bubble" supposedly burst.
Scorch the Dragon: The Most Famous November 19 Birthday
If you ask a hardcore collector about the November 19 Beanie Baby, they’re going to talk about Scorch. This little guy is a textured, tie-dyed dragon with iridescent wings. He’s cool. He’s also the subject of a massive amount of misinformation on the internet.
Scorch was introduced on September 30, 1998, and retired on December 23, 1999. His birthday is officially listed on the tag as November 19, 1998. Because he has that "classic" look and was part of the late-90s craze, he’s often listed on eBay for $500, $1,000, or even more.
Does Scorch actually sell for that much?
Basically, no.
💡 You might also like: Why the Blue Jordan 13 Retro Still Dominates the Streets
Unless your Scorch has a very specific, verifiable manufacturing error (and even then, it's a gamble), he typically sells for between $5 and $20. You'll see listings claiming "Rare No Stamp" or "PVC Pellets" (though Scorch usually has PE pellets), but these are often just standard variations. The high-priced listings you see are usually people hoping to catch a buyer who hasn't done their homework.
The "Other" November 19 Beanies
Ty was big on reusing birthdays. If you have a November 19 Beanie Baby that isn't a dragon, you probably have one of these:
- Whittle the Bear: Born November 19, 2003. Whittle is a light brown bear with a blue and white ribbon. He’s part of the later era of Beanies and usually sits in the "very cute but worth about five bucks" category.
- Star the Angel Bear: This one’s a gold bear with white wings, born November 19, 2002. It was a 2002 retail release and is relatively common.
- November the Birthday Bear: Ty released a whole series of "Birthday Bears" for every month. The November version—a brown bear wearing a festive hat—is a frequent find.
Spotting the Real Value (and the Fakes)
People get really hung up on "errors." On Scorch, for instance, you might notice the tush tag says 1999 while the hang tag says 1998.
Is that an error?
Nope. It’s just how they were made. The tush tag often reflects the year the trademark was registered or the item was produced, while the birthday is just... a birthday. It’s flavor text.
📖 Related: Sleeping With Your Neighbor: Why It Is More Complicated Than You Think
Watch out for these Scorch red flags:
- Felt Spikes: Authentic Scorch dragons have thick, sturdy felt spikes. Counterfeits often use thin, flimsy felt that feels cheap.
- The Tongue: A real Scorch has a "flocked" (slightly fuzzy) tongue. If it’s just flat, shiny fabric, you’re likely looking at a knockoff.
- Nostrils: Believe it or not, some fakes completely forget to include the nostrils.
Why Do We Still Care?
It’s easy to mock the Beanie Baby craze, but the November 19 Beanie Baby represents a specific moment in time. For many, finding their "birthday twin" was the peak of the hobby. It wasn't about the money back then; it was about the connection.
If you have one, keep it because you like it. If you're trying to sell it, be realistic. The market for common Beanies is flooded. However, if you have a "Mint Version" with a "Generation 5" hang tag (the one without the yellow star), you might find a niche collector willing to pay a slight premium.
How to Handle Your Collection Now
If you’ve just uncovered a stash of November 19 Beanies, don't rush to quit your day job. Instead, take these steps to see what you actually have.
Check the hang tag generation. You can identify this by the style of the "ty" logo and whether or not there’s a star on the front. Generally, 4th and 5th generation tags (the most common) indicate the toy was mass-produced.
👉 See also: At Home French Manicure: Why Yours Looks Cheap and How to Fix It
Look for a tag protector. If the tag is creased, torn, or missing, the value to a serious collector drops to almost zero. The "MWMT" (Mint with Mint Tags) status is everything in this world.
Check "Sold" listings on eBay—not the "Asking" prices. Anyone can ask for $2,000 for a Scorch the Dragon. Only a few people are actually getting $10 for one. Filter your search results to see what people are actually paying in the last 30 days.
Clean your Beanies carefully. If they’ve been in an attic, they might have a "dusty" smell. Do NOT throw them in a washing machine. A gentle surface wipe with a damp cloth is usually all you need to keep the fabric (and the iridescent wings on Scorch) from degrading.
Ultimately, the November 19 Beanie Baby is a classic piece of Americana. It’s a reminder of a time when the world went a little bit crazy over plush toys filled with plastic pellets. Whether it's a dragon, a bear, or an angel, it's a cool thing to own—just don't expect it to fund your retirement.
Actionable Next Step: Go to eBay and search for "Scorch the Dragon Beanie Baby," then click the "Sold Items" filter in the sidebar. This will give you the most honest look at the current market value of your November 19 find.