HANG TAG GUIDE - KNOW YOUR TAGS

Hang tags are currently in their 13th generation. The guide below details how to tell one generation from another. There are also 'special issue' hang tags which have been used on small groups of Beanies or individual Beanies.

There can be up to two generations of hang tags in usage at any one time as Beanies issued in US/Canada will have different tags to those in Europe and Asia.

The concord on which generation of hang tag is in use no longer exists. Some commentators insist that we are on 13th with recent changes being 'variations' of 12th and 13th. However, I count each change to the face of the tag as a new generation!!!

 
no picture First Generation (early 1994)  These are the only single sided hang tags (as opposed to later versions which open like a book). Gold foil edges to the heart and the Ty logo is known as the 'skinny Ty' as it is a different font from the later 'bubble font' used. The hole through which the hang tag connector passes is through the side of the heart, not the upper left corner. The reverse includes the name of the Beanie and the style number. There are three versions of this tag; which indicate variation of production (UK, Korea and China). Only 34 styles of Beanie were released with this tag.
no picture Second Generation (Spring 1994)  The second generation hang tag looks like the first generation, but it now opens like a book. The tag connector now passes through the upper left-hand corner of the tag. Information inside still includes the name and style number of the Beanie - but now also the words 'to' and 'from with love'. There are three versions of this tag - which indicate the intended distribution market (US, UK or Germany). Only 37 styles of Beanie were released with this tag.
no picture Third Generation (Spring 1995)  The Ty on the third generation hang tag is in a balloon style font - and sometime called the 'bubble Ty'. It remains in white print with gold outline. The information on the inside of the tag has not changed from the second generation tag. 92 styles of Beanie were released with this tag.
Fourth Generation (Spring 1996)  The Ty on the fourth generation hang tag retains the font style from the third generation - however it has been moved further down the tag to allow the insertion of a five-point yellow star with the words 'original Beanie Baby' inside. The Ty is no longer gold edged. Inside the Beanie's name and style number are still included, along with the now famous poems. The country of manufacture (Korea or China) is included, and sometimes the Ty Web address is also included. There are many variations of this tag. 118 styles of Beanie were released with this tag.
Fifth Generation (Early 1998) The front of the tag is identical to the fourth generation - the only difference is the font inside the yellow star - the type face inside the tag has also changed. Inside the style number is no longer included and the date of birth is spelt out instead of being noted numerically. The UK and German locations on the inside of the tag are combined into "Ty Europe" leaving space for the introduction of "Ty Canada". 176 styles of Beanie were released with this tag.
Sixth Generation (March 2000)  The star on the front of the sixth generation tag is now holographic and has '2000' written across in yellow. The inside of the tag still includes the Beanie name, birthdate and poem. The office addresses previously given have now been reduced to simply locations - allowing the introudction of "Ty Japan". The size of the bar code on the back has been reduced to allow the words 'safety precaution' to be added above the safety instructions (which were introduced on the fourth generation). 64 styles of Beanie were released with this tag.

There are two variations to the sixth generation tag. One for the 'Zodiac' range which replaces the star with the word 'Zodiac'.

The interior of the Holiday 2000 tag has a blue background with white snowflakes.
Seventh Generation (early 2000) This tag is identical to the sixth generation tag but the word 'Beanies' replaces the '2000' over the holographic star on the front. The order that the Ty offices are listed is changed to allow address information to be given for Ty Europe in Gosport, or sometimes misprinted "Gasport". This tag was used for shipping Beanies to UK and Germany, and was still used on Beanies produced for Ty Europe all the way through to the 13th generation tag.
Eighth Generation (January 2001) Once again identical to the sixth generation tag - except for the star on the front. The holographic star is now smaller with the words 'Beanie' and 'Baby' bordering above and below in yellow. This tag was used for issuing Beanies  in 2001, except to the UK/Europe.
Ninth Generation (Summer 2001) This tag is identical to the eight generation tag - however the words "Beanie Baby" above and below the star now reads "Beanie Babies". This tag was used for issuing Beanies in the US and Canada. The safety information on the back of the tag has also been slightly re-scripted.
As the birthday bears started appearing in July 2001, the same time as the ninth generation hang tags, these can be technically be considered a ninth generation variation, although they actually are completely unique inside and out.
Tenth Generation (January 2002)  The text from the ninth generation tag remains in two adjacent lines now - however the letters are slightly 'skewed'. There are 5 smaller holographic stars (in the style of the star on ninth and eight gen. tags) above the Beanie Babies. This tag was used on Beanies released in 2002, in US and Canada.
Eleventh Generation (December 2002)  The text from the tenth generation tag remains. Replacing the 4 holographic stars above the Beanie Babies is a holographic "10" with "yrs" in a white star. This tag is being used on Beanies released in 2003. Two new Ty locations have been added inside "Ty Asia" and "Ty Australia".
This is the hang tag used on the Beanie Baby of the Month series. As the Beanie Baby of the Month programme started in January 2003 this hang tag is arguably an eleventh generation variation. It is certainly identical inside to the eleventh rather than the tenth.
no picture Twelfth Generation US  This hang tag replace the eleventh generation "10 year anniversary" tag. The "10 years" on the front has been replaced with a holographic "original" and a holographic 'splash' has been added underneath.
no picture The state exclusive bears have a variation of the twelfth generation swing tags Instead of the poem there is information about each state, and replacing the location information on the inside left of the tag is a graphic of the  state flag, further information about the state, and even the official state website address!
no picture Twelfth Generation UK  For the first time since the 7th generation the UK finally gets a new hang tag! Very similar on the front to the 12th this tag has only "Beanies" instead of "Beanie Babies". On the inside there is also the full address of the Ty Europe offices. There is also an additional tag attached for safety regulations. This is also now the case for Canadian Beanies.
no picture Thirteenth Generation US identical to the previous tag but the holographic "original" is now printed in white comic sans font, the holographic splash is also gone. A small holographic star is now to the left of the "Beanie Babies".
no picture There is a variation of the thirteenth generation tag. "Holy Father" has a gold tag instead of red. The first and only Beanie Baby not to have the famous red tag!
no picture Thirteenth Generation UK Identical to the US except for once again only the word "Babies" in place of "Beanie Babies".
   
Although from the 7th generation UK and US Beanies have had different styles of tags it is only since the 12th generation that UK and US Beanies have had unique tags. The 7th generation was issued in the US but the 12th and 13th generation variations used in the UK have never been used in the US.

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