This is it! The Ty Executive Billionaire Teddy set! This is the second of two known “complete” full departure top caliber Billionaire prototype sets. We reviewed Mr. Warner’s set in the previous post. Link to that set is here: https://rarestbeans.com/2024/12/24/billionaire-prototype-set-the-ty-warner-set/ To be sure, outside of both sets, there are a few top tier Billionaire prototypes for some styles (but not all!) – some we have reviewed, and some we hope to review in the near future. There are also a handful of Billionaire protos that we would classify as less than triple A quality – imagine identical to production but minus a dollar sign, or others that may have prototype tags, but no actual departure from production. We would call these “sample prototypes”.
This executive set was assembled piece by piece by a senior Ty executive who brought these bears in one at a time to be graded by True Blue Beans. The set technically is comprised of 20 bears spanning Billionaire 1 through Billionaire 19 – this matches the Ty Warner set. There are two Billionaire 2 bears in this set (while the Ty Warner set has two Billionaire 19 bears in it). Today, the Billionaire 1 from this set and the Ty Warner set have been swapped, and the cream Billionaire two pair has been separated. The cream with magenta $$ signs resides in the set.
Rarity Rank: -1 – 0. To repeat, true departure Billionaire bear prototypes with pax tags are already in their own class. These pieces have tremendous provenance – elevates these pieces to unique highs. Additionally, just LOOK at some of these bears! Clearly their particular billionaire style is important, but they are also absolutely wild and vivid in their presentation – exactly want you want from a prototype. Many of these pieces are also ‘1 of 2’ known examples for that particular prototype (Billionaire 5 is one example). The strength of these pieces is elevated further if they remain in a set. STUNNING! BRILLIANT! 10’s across the Billionaire board.
Billionaire 1 – This Billionaire has a brilliant green ribbon, padded feet, and crystal green nose that match it’s emblem color! All pax tags and 7/98 pax dates. Hang tag initialed by Ty with his approval. The Billionaire 1 prototype in this set was actually swapped out for the example that was originally in the Ty Warner set.
Billionaire 2 (green + magenta) – Here we have the famous fully departure set of two Billionaire 2 prototypes in cream – the magenta still resides with the majority of the set. Full departure in cream. Both with 7/99 pax dates!
Billionaire 3 – THIS GUY ROCKS! Full lemon yellow departure, with violet ribbon, padded feet, and crystal nose. This guy also has a $3 for its chest emblem – production did not have the 3! 5/18 pax dates also make this the earliest Billionaire 3 proto on record. It is quite possible this is the first Billy 3 proto – the chest emblem matches the style and design of the original Billy 1 and Billy 2 (in white) prototypes. Signed by Ty on the front of his tag!
Billionaire 4 – Another extraordinarily radical prototype – full departure with crazy multi-color rust paint. His fabric seems a bit like The Picasso Bear’s…crystal green nose, green ears, padded feet, and multi-green ribbon. Also technically the earliest dated Billy 4 prototype on record with 6/01 pax tag dates.
Billionaire 5 – LOOK. AT. THIS. BEAR! Production body and ears, but WILD golden fuzz face, extremities, crystal blue nose, and multi ribbon. 2/02 pax dates – extremely early for this bear. Advent tags, AND the rare square Ty Inc prototype tag – signed by Ty! One of our all-time favorite pieces.
Billionaire 6 – Another piece that absolutely rocks. Like the previous Billy 5 proto, this bear has production chest and emblem, but light lime green extremities + face. Crystal blue nose and ribbon. Both types of prototype tags. Signed by Ty on the square tag. 2/2003 pax dates. Another earliest on record.
Billionaire 7 – Brilliant Billy 7 proto signed by Ty! 1/2004 pax dates – another super early example. Full departure red ears, feet, and crystal nose/ribbon.
Billionaire 8 – Like previous bears in this set, production body, but gold extremities – gold nose etc. Signed by Ty on his advent pax tag. 2/2005 early pax dates!
Billionaire 9 – This Billy 9 proto has production body and emblem, but gold ribbon, gold nose, and red fuzzy extremities, including her head! Akin to the Billy 5 prototype in this set. Signed by Ty on her advent prototype hang tag. Early 2/2006 dates.
Billionaire 10 – Wicked! Similar again to the Billy 5 proto – fuzzy light pink extremities including full fuzzy face! Production color body and emblem. Both advent and square Ty tag – signed by Ty!
Billionaire 11 – This is a neat one! Billy 11 in white/cream, with silver extremities and emblem. Crystal silver nose + ribbon. This is almost like the inverse of the production Billy 11. Early 2/2008 advent dates, and signed by Ty on the circular prototype advent hang tag.
Billionaire 12 – This bear has solid fuzzy navy blue fur! Red extremities + crystal red nose. SUPER STRONG departure. Advent tag signed by Ty. 4/2009 dates. Full departure!
Billionaire 13 – Full departure – entire body fuzzy hot pink, with violet nose, and purple extremities + ribbon. Advent tag signed by Ty! Another insane piece.
Billionaire 14 – Full departure – entire body is light blue fuzzy fabric. Hybrid purple fabric for all extremities + crystal purple nose and blue and purple ribbons. Advent tag signed by Ty! Early 2/2011 dates.
Billionaire 15 – Full departure bright lemon yellow shaggy fabric, hybrid green fabric for extremities. Crystal green nose, and green ribbon. Advent tag signed by Ty! 2/2012 pax dates. Incredible!
Billionaire 16 – To rehash, the production Billy 16, as we all know, was released as a teeny ty chaser. THIS is an example IN BEANIE BABY FORM! This wild teddy is solid violet, with light green chaser fabric for the ears and feet (hinting at the teeny ty direction). Fabric matches the Italy series 1 chaser (iv). With a crystal green nose + multicolor ribbon + ultra rare square Ty prototype tags. Signed.
Billionaire 17 – A VIVID, FULL DEPARTURE Billy 17 proto. Solid orange body departure. Crazy black chaser fabric for extremities to align with black chest emblem. Ultra rare square Ty prototype tags. Signed.
Billionaire 18 – Recall, the Billionaire 18 production we know was made as a flippable. This here is a prototype for the piece in BEANIE BABY FORM! Orange teddy, with gold extremities using the flippable sequins – hinting at the flippable iteration of the production Billy 18. Ultra rare square Ty prototype tags. Signed.
Billionaire 19 – Absolutely love this proto. Production body, but with special purple (Italy series 1) chaser fabric for all extremities. Purple/magenta nose. Ultra rare square Ty prototype tags. Signed.
Rarest Beans 