How do I tell which generation tag my Beanie Baby has?

Ty changed the heart-shaped swing tag several times, and collectors group them into generations. Early tags were a single heart without the folded booklet, later tags opened like a small card with a poem and birthday inside, and the font, the shape of the Ty logo and the wording inside changed over the years. The fabric tag sewn into the seam also changed, and some later tags carry a hologram or a star.

Matching the swing tag and tush tag together tells you roughly when your piece was made. Collector guides and fan reference sites show photos of each generation side by side, which is the easiest way to compare. Look closely at small details like where the trademark symbol sits and whether the tag says the item is a Beanie Baby.

Early generation tags on early styles are what collectors pay more for. Tags can be swapped onto later toys, so if the tag seems too good for the toy, be cautious. Keep the tag attached and protected with a plastic tag protector.