Photo: AP Photo/Michael S. Green
Here’s everything to know about the commemorative toy, including how much it’s worth today and where to find one.
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In addition to marking a moment in history, the bear was highly sought after due to its scarcity, as the first shipments were reportedly limited to just 12 per licensed retailer. “In 1997, it wasthetoy to get,” says Lori Verderame, an antiques appraiser with more than 20 years in the business who evaluates roughly 200,000 items per year — thousands of which just so happen to be Beanie Babies.
“It’s particularly interesting, not only because of the anniversary of Diana’s death, [but because they were] beloved collectible toys of folks who are coming of age: late 20s to early 40s,” she tells PEOPLE.
AP Photo/John Hayes
The value of the bear depends on several variables. “They’re all different,” Verderame explains. “Every single one of them has a nuance that would make them different.”
The Princess Diana plush is also far less rare than they once were; the company ultimately increased its production in the face of high demand. Verderame says she comes across hundreds of Princess Diana Beanie Babies every week and believes that “millions” were made.
A quick scroll through eBay clears up very little: Sellers list seemingly identical copies of the plush toy for asking prices from a mere $45 to around $1 million. Verderame says a mint-condition plush could certainly be worth your while. “Some could be worth into the thousands,” she says. “I’ve seen many of them that are more than thousands of dollars. Five figures, easily.”
Even a knockoff could hold some value. “There are many of those as well,” Verderame shares. “A lot of the fakes are good…You can search for them and find very valuable ones.”
Collectors should note that the toy’s value today isn’t the same value the plush will hold in a month, in a week or even tomorrow. Verderame says the Beanie Babie experienced a surge in valuableness in August 2022 tied to the anniversary of Diana’s death, but adds that the value will soon change again.
Verderame says these toys increase in value over time, depending on their condition and what milestones the royal family is celebrating.
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source: people.com
