Hi Corey,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Beanie Babies (BBs) were enormously popular in the 1990s and widely collected, with the consequence that now there are many "on the market" without nearly enough demand for the supply so values on most individual beanie babies are low.

The BB market is often subject to overvaluation and there are myths surrounding BB values, both for ones with - and without - tag errors (for discussion on tag errors, see https://www.vox.com/the-goods/22870250/nft-beanie-baby-price-guide-bubble-princess-value ).

Websites like eBay and Etsy - which are unregulated - are rampant with fraudulent sellers posting BB at exorbitantly high prices and then the BBs either don't sell or sell privately at undisclosed prices. (For an article that goes into detail about this, see: https://www.vice.com/en/article/epnwmn/investigating-the-fake-ebay-market-for-dollar25000-beanie-babies).

Ty Inc. released the Valentina Beanie Baby on February 14, 1998. This fuchsia-colored bear, adorned with a white embroidered heart on her chest, was introduced as part of the Valentine's Day-themed collection. Valentina was retired on December 23, 1999.

Like 99.9999% of all beanie babies, this has a very nominal value: $20-30 at auction, in this case.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

A near vintage Ty "Valentina" beanie baby
dated 1998
The burgundy-colored bear with heart on its breast, heart-shaped "ear" tag and folded tush tag, made in China, with PE pellets
(8 inches tall)
CONDITION: This appears to be in good condition
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$20-30*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia