How Much Is the Princess Diana Beanie Baby Worth? All About the Special Edition Toy (and Where to Find One)

When Princess Diana suddenly died in a car crash over 25 years ago, memorabilia honoring her legacy was everywhere. But no item was more iconic than the Princess Diana Beanie Baby.

The commemorative toy was released in 1997 and remains one of the most sought-after plushes of all time. While the People’s Princess left behind many incredible legacies — including her charity work and her sons Prince William and Prince Harry — ’90s kids will never forget how big her Beanie Baby was.

So, how much is a Princess Diana Beanie Baby worth? Here’s everything to know about the commemorative toy, including its current value and where to find one.

What is the Princess Diana Beanie Baby?

The Princess Diana Beanie Baby is a special-edition commemorative plush toy released by Ty Inc. just months after Diana’s death. Vanity Fair reported that the purple bear, featuring a white rose on its chest, was initially sold in December 1997 for roughly $5 to $7 each, with proceeds benefiting the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.

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. Lori Verderame, an antiques appraiser who evaluates roughly 200,000 items per year — thousands of which just so happen to be Beanie Babies — told PEOPLE that “in 1997, it was the toy to get.”

“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 said.

How much is the Princess Diana Beanie Baby worth?

The value of the bear depends on several variables, according to Verderame. “They’re all different,” she explained. “Every single one of them has a nuance that would make them different.”

The smallest detail can affect the toy’s value, from the stuffing — the initial batch was reportedly made with PVC pellets, while later versions were made with polyethylene pellets — to subtleties in the eyes, nose or mouth. Even its country of origin can determine the value of the bear.

“There’s a very long laundry list,” Verderame said, noting that a negative factor can be countered by a positive one. “It’s kind of like a big algebra problem. The collectors made it this complex.”

The Princess Diana plush is also far less rare than it once was; the company ultimately increased its production in the face of high demand. Verderame said she comes across hundreds of Princess Diana Beanie Babies every week and believes that “millions” were made.

A quick scroll through eBay cleared up very little: Sellers have listed seemingly identical copies of the plush toy for asking prices from a mere $45 to around $1 million. Verderame said a mint-condition plush could certainly be worth your while: “Some could be worth into the thousands. 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 shared. “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 changes over time. According to Verderame, Beanie Babies experienced a surge in value in August 2022, tied to the anniversary of Diana’s death. However, she also noted that these toys increase in value over time, depending on their condition and the milestones the royal family is celebrating.

Where can I find a Princess Diana Beanie Baby?

Verderame suggested beginning the search for the perfect Princess Diana Beanie Baby online.

“There are a lot of options on a site like eBay,” she said. From there, she recommended having the item appraised before clicking “Buy it Now,” especially considering that a high price tag doesn’t always equate to high value.

“I can tell from a photo, I can tell from a video,” Verderame assured. Just don’t send a Beanie Baby to her in the mail, as her team doesn’t “accept any objects.”

Buyers can do their own due diligence without an appraisal; Verderame said it’s best to start with the tag. “Make sure the tag’s attached,” she advised. “It’s gotta be attached.”

Other telltale signs of a well-loved Beanie Baby include creases in the tags, discoloration, stains, missing parts and the way the beans have settled. As Verderame explained on her blog , some Beanie Babies were understuffed, resulting in the bear’s head falling to one side or appearing to have excess “skin” in the stomach area.

And if a buyer spots a Princess Diana Beanie Baby — or even a group of them — in the wild? Verderame said, “It’s a good idea if you see one at a yard sale to pick it up.”