These two bears are extraordinary. While our site hasn’t delved too deeply into the Billionaire prototypes that exist, we wanted to do a 2-in-1 post about two very special Billionaire prototype examples. A couple of examples per Billionaire were created specifically as a set as special gifts for Ty Executives. Others were the true origin designs/ideas for the bears as Ty began to craft his designs. The two bears below are the confirmed original prototype designs for the Billionaire 1 and Billionaire 2 bears. The Billionaire 1 prototype has 3/18/98 pax dates. The production example was released to employees 9/26/98. The other surviving prototype bears were created in July of 1998 – months after this example. All much more closely resemble the final production bear. It is confirmed this is the earliest prototype example, and is easily the greatest departure with the earliest design concept. The bear is in solid white, with money green ribbon (thick) and dollar sign. Complete with pax tags and signed by Ty in red. The Billionaire 2 prototype is similar – signed by Ty, solid white, green thin ribbon, and a green dollar sign with the #2. Appears Ty wasn’t ready to abandon this design, or used it again as a starting point. Interestingly, the production Billionaire 2 bear had two dollar signs without number. We did not see a number appear on chest (in similar fashion as this prototype) until Billionaire #4. The pax tag is also signed by Ty in red, and dated 4/22/99 – all other Billy 2 protos have 7/99 pax dates. Complete with crystal green nose.
Rarity Rank: -.75 to -1. These bears are incredibly special. Full departure prototypes for the original Billionaire Bears, that scream ‘Billionaire prototype’. Complete with pax tags signed by Ty, with the earliest known/confirmed pax dates for the “Billionaire” teddy #1 and #2. Absolutely stupendous pieces.
Rarest Beans 