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The May 13 Beanie Baby: 5 Shocking Facts About Patti The Platypus And Mum The Bear's Current Value

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The Beanie Baby market is a world of extreme highs and lows, and no single date better illustrates this volatility than May 13th. Collectors often search for the "May 13 Beanie Baby," hoping to find a hidden treasure that could be worth thousands. As of late 2025, the reality is that the value of these specific plush toys is entirely dependent on microscopic manufacturing flaws—or "errors"—that most people overlook.

The May 13th date is significant because it is the official birthday for two distinct Beanie Babies: one of the original and most iconic figures from the 1990s craze, and a later, Mother's Day-themed bear. Understanding the difference between these two and knowing exactly which rare tag combination to look for is the key to unlocking any potential wealth in your collection.

The May 13th Beanie Babies: Patti the Platypus and Mum the Bear

The "May 13 Beanie Baby" is not a single toy, but rather two separate collectibles whose birthdays fall on that date. Their histories and current market values couldn't be more different, yet both offer a fascinating glimpse into the mechanics of the Ty Inc. phenomenon.

Patti the Platypus (Birthday: May 13, 1993)

  • Style Number: 4025
  • Introduction Date: June 25, 1993
  • Retirement Date: May 1, 1998
  • Significance: Patti is one of the "Original 9" Beanie Babies, which are the first nine plush toys ever released by Ty Warner's company, Ty Inc.
  • Colors: Patti was produced in a variety of colors over her five-year run: Magenta, Fuchsia, Raspberry, and Maroon. The earliest, rarest versions are often the most sought-after.
  • Pellets: Early versions of Patti, especially those from 1993, contain PVC pellets, which are a major indicator of a first-generation Beanie Baby and a key factor in high valuations.

Mum the Bear (Birthday: May 13, 2001)

  • Style Number: 4545
  • Introduction Date: March 6, 2002
  • Retirement Date: June 25, 2002
  • Significance: Mum the Bear was a short-lived, Mother's Day-themed bear, part of a later generation of Beanie Babies. It was released after the peak of the Beanie Baby craze.
  • Color: Pink with a floral pattern on the chest.
  • Pellets: Mum contains PE (Polyethylene) pellets, which are common in later-generation Beanie Babies and generally indicate a lower collector value compared to the PVC-stuffed originals.

Fact 1: The Massive Value Gap Between the Two May 13th Beanies

The first shocking fact about the May 13th collectibles is the enormous disparity in their base market values. If you own a standard, mass-produced version of either toy in pristine condition (Mint with Mint Tags, or MWMT), your expected return is likely to be minimal.

A standard Mum the Bear, even with its short production run, is a later-generation item. Realistic, verified sales for this bear in 2025 typically fall in the $2 to $15 range. While it holds sentimental value as a Mother's Day collectible, it does not carry the historical weight of the original line.

A standard Patti the Platypus is a different story, but still not a guaranteed fortune. Non-error, common-color versions of Patti (especially the later maroon or raspberry shades) also sell for very low prices, often in the $0.50 to $20 range. However, because she is an Original 9 Beanie Baby, the potential for a high-value error is significantly greater, which leads to the next crucial fact.

Fact 2: Patti's True Value is Locked in the Rare Magenta Color and PVC Pellets

The only version of Patti the Platypus that holds substantial, verifiable collector value is the extremely rare, early-production version. This variant is often referred to as the "Magenta" Patti, a shade that is much lighter and more vibrant than the later Fuchsia or Maroon versions.

To be considered a true high-value collectible, your May 13th Patti must possess the following two key features:

  • The Magenta Color: This is the rarest of Patti's colors.
  • PVC Pellets: The stuffing must be the original PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) pellets, which Ty Inc. stopped using in later production runs. This confirms its status as a first-generation Beanie Baby.

While unverified listings often claim values in the thousands, authenticated sales of a pristine, first-generation Magenta Patti with the correct tags have historically commanded prices significantly higher than the typical Beanie Baby, though actual sales in 2025 are volatile and dependent on finding the right buyer.

Fact 3: The 'Tag Error' Phenomenon is the Real Price Driver

The difference between a $5 Beanie Baby and a highly-priced collectible often comes down to manufacturing mistakes known as "tag errors." For the May 13th Beanie Babies, particularly Patti, these errors are the primary driver of value.

Collectors look for errors on both the Swing Tag (the heart-shaped tag attached to the ear) and the Tush Tag (the small tag sewn into the rear seam). These are the most valuable errors to look out for on your May 13th Patti the Platypus:

  • Missing Comma on Tush Tag: A common and highly sought-after error is the absence of a comma after "Oakbrook" on the Tush Tag.
  • Extra Space/Punctuation Errors: Mistakes in the poem or birth date on the Swing Tag, such as an extra space or an incorrect punctuation mark.
  • P.V.C. vs. P.E. Pellets: The Tush Tag must explicitly state "P.V.C. Pellets" to confirm its rarity, as later versions switched to the cheaper P.E. pellets.
  • Multiple Errors: Listings for a single Patti with nine or more combined tag errors have been seen with asking prices in the $250 to $375 range, demonstrating the premium collectors place on these imperfections.

Fact 4: The May 13th Date is Tied to the "Original 9" Legacy

Patti the Platypus's May 13, 1993, birthday is significant because it anchors the entire Beanie Baby collecting world. The Original 9—which include Patti, Spot the Dog, Squealer the Pig, Patti the Platypus, Brownie the Bear (later Cubbie), Chocolate the Moose, Flash the Dolphin, Splash the Whale, and Legs the Frog—are the foundation of the Ty empire.

Any Beanie Baby from this first generation, especially those with PVC pellets, is considered an essential artifact of the 1990s craze. Patti, with her distinctive magenta color, is a cornerstone of this early collection, which is why the May 13th date remains so important to serious collectors seeking to complete the Original 9 set.

Fact 5: The Importance of Professional Beanie Baby Appraisal

Given the complexity of the "May 13 Beanie Baby" market, particularly the difference between a common $5 toy and a $300+ error variant, professional appraisal is critical. The market is constantly changing, and many online listings feature vastly inflated asking prices that do not reflect actual sale prices.

If you believe you own a rare May 13th Patti the Platypus—specifically a Magenta one with PVC pellets and tag errors—having it certified by a reputable Beanie Baby appraiser is the only way to confirm its legitimacy and establish a realistic, current market value in late 2025. This process involves verifying the style number, the color variant, the pellet type, and the presence of any valuable Tush Tag or Swing Tag errors.

In summary, while the May 13th birthday is shared by two Beanie Babies, the real excitement lies with Patti the Platypus. Her status as an Original 9 member, combined with the extreme rarity of the Magenta color and specific manufacturing errors, is the only path to a high-value collectible from this date.

The May 13 Beanie Baby: 5 Shocking Facts About Patti the Platypus and Mum the Bear's Current Value
may 13 beanie baby
may 13 beanie baby

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