Splash the Whale

Splash is one of the Original 9 Beanie Babies, in production for three and a half years. He is found with first through fourth generation swing tags and only the first three tush tag generations, so a Splash wearing a later tush tag is worth a hard look.

Counterfeits exist and are easiest to catch on size. A fake Splash is noticeably shorter than an authentic one. The dorsal fin on a fake is the wrong shape. The eyes on a fake are dull, where authentic eyes are shiny, and the nose on a fake is shorter and more pointed than it should be.

Documented oddities are a Splash with no eyes and Splashes wearing tush tags for Chocolate, Doby and Happy. Chocolate was an Original 9 stablemate, and the two were in production together for over three years, so a swapped tag between them is no surprise.