Beanie Babies

Happy the Hippopotamus

Happy the Hippopotamus at a glance

Key details to help identify the version and understand its market value.

Style
4061
Type
Hippopotamus · purple
Introduced
June 3, 1995
Retired
May 1, 1998
Swing tags
Generations 3, 4, 5
Tush tags
Generations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

More about Happy the Hippopotamus → Birthday, story, and every release.

Estimated market value High confidence

$9

Median sold price

$0.99–$1,200

Observed sale range

105 completed sales · Updated

How this price is calculated

Based on 105 matched completed sales. Prices vary by tag generation, condition, and listing accuracy. The full observed range is $0.99–$1,200.00, and the exact median is $8.55. Data updated Nov 9, 2026.

How we calculate prices

Estimated value over time

:

Prices by swing-tag generation

  • Generation 3 $92.50 median 6 sales
  • Not stated $8.05 median 94 sales

Generation is based on listing information and may be incomplete.

Recent sales on eBay

Completed eBay sales matched to Happy the Hippopotamus · Style 4061

Date Listing Sold for
Ty Beanie Babies Happy Hippo Plush Beanbag 1994 Vintage Ages 3+ 4-7 Years eBay item 227381247841 $10.00
TY Beanie Baby Mini - HAPPY BIRTHDAY Bear (5.5 inch) Free Shipping eBay item 960011004115 $8.55
NEW # 6 Happy The Purple Hippo Beanie Baby 1998 eBay item 317940185033 $1.62
TY Beanie Baby HAPPY BIRTHDAY Bear Orange with Present eBay item 176934539313 $6.99
VTG Ty Beanie Babies Happy The Hippo 1993 Purple Bean Bag Stuffed Animal 9” eBay item 407317799889 $6.30

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Some eBay links may be affiliate links. Sale prices shown are completed sales used for valuation research.

Current listings on eBay

Nov 11

These are current asking prices, not completed-sale values.

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission from qualifying eBay purchases, at no extra cost to you.

See all matching listings on eBay ↗

What can change Happy the Hippopotamus's value

  • Tag generation. Mint with both tags commands the premium, and an earlier swing-tag generation moves price more than condition does.
  • Condition. Creases, stains, tag protectors and smoke exposure all show up in what buyers pay.
  • Exact version. Pellet type, country of manufacture and renames make same-name toys different products at different prices.
  • Listing quality. Most "error" listings describe common tag misprints that carry no premium; read titles skeptically.

About these prices

Values are based on completed eBay sales matched to this toy, not current asking prices.

How we calculate prices

Included: Completed eBay sales matched to the toy and style number.

Excluded: Automated matching removes identifiable lots, cards, other Ty lines, reissues, and mismatched toys. Duplicate listings are collapsed. Some variation in condition or tag generation may remain.

How value is calculated: The headline value is the median sale price, weighted by units sold, with no outlier trimming. The observed range may include different conditions and tag generations.

Read the complete pricing methodology →

Data updated