Welcome @PennyRich When it comes to posting photos, here is what I recommend: You should try to post straight on shots, in focus, FULL IMAGE photos (after you upload your photo, two buttons appear: Thumbnail and Full Image, click Full Image and your photo appears full size on your post and is easily enlarged by clicking on it). Photograph coins on neutral backgrounds like black, grey, or white. Crop out superfluous background so just the coin shows, and post photos with correct orientation so members don't have to turn their computer in some awkward fashion to view it properly. While it isn’t always necessary, it is nice to show both the obverse and reverse, even if your question is just about one side. Members can often give more valuable information having both sides to evaluate. Add close ups of areas you have questions about and make your questions as definitive as possible so we know what you are asking for. And try to have the best lighting possible to show the most favorable photo of the coin. Hope this helps in the future. Good luck.
@PennyRich ...the ridge ring is a hallmark of any overused die for lots of dates. Zincolns do not have a monopoly on ridge rings but they are so notoriously badly made their reputation suffers mightily. The granular surface on Zincolns, or perhaps the plating blisters, along with multitudinous problems with strike defects like split-plate doubling and scalloped letters and numerals would be better hallmarks. There are 2 reasons why this is so: 1. The US Mint was trying to produce a cheaper cent, and man oh man, did they ever! In producing this cheaper, inferior cent, they had to change a lot of processes and getting their suppliers to learn how to copper plate zinc planchets took many, many years to do. They still make crappy coins. 2. In tandem with making a cheaper cent, the Mint, loaded with freshly coated slugs, proceeded to crank out millions and millions of them each year. But, when a die pair wore out, they pushed the production beyond normal, resulting in prevalent strike errors and many a deteriorated coin. WYSIWYG. (What you see is what you get). There should be no surprise when you find one with a ridge ring. ...jmho...Spark
This was certainly an educational, eye-opening bit of information. Thank you for taking the time to explain. Certainly helps to avoid eating too much time on unimportant characteristics. Thank you!