Ty Beanie Baby - Congo the Gorilla (1996)

This is a Ty Beanie Baby known as 'Congo' the Gorilla, originally introduced in June 1996 and retired in 1998. The plush features a biphasic color scheme consisting of deep black polyester fur on the body and head, contrasted with a warm brown short-pile fabric on the face, ears, hands, and feet. It is constructed with black plastic safety eyes and a small black plastic nose. The item is filled with PVC pellets, which is a key indicator of its early manufacturing period (later versions typically used PE pellets). The item appears in excellent condition, often referred to as 'Mint Condition' in the hobby, with no visible signs of fading, fabric thinning, or seam separation. One of the most significant valuation features is the presence of the original heart-shaped 'swing tag' attached to the left ear, which is preserved inside a clear plastic protective case. The tag appears crisp with no visible creasing or sun damage. This specific model represents the fourth-generation heart tag and fourth-generation tush tag era of Ty production. The craftsmanship is consistent with late 1990s mass-market plush toys, showing tight stitching and symmetrical facial features.