If you are new to vintage toy rings and do not have access to the Overstreet price guide and need to figure out how old an older toy ring is, then keep these tips in mind.

First thing to do is find any markings that state the manufacturer country or company.  Once you find this, then you can make some general assumptions based on history.  Certain decades had a certain location dominate the manufacture of toy rings.  Most toy rings were not made in the United States. Second, take a good look at the material used to make the ring since this is a secondary factor in helping you find the origin date of a ring.

Here is a decade by decade summary of locations and manufacturing material for toy rings.  This information can also assist you with other novelty type toys as well but not always larger toys. 

The 1920's and 1930's had rings made in Japan and mainly in metals that were heavier than aluminum or tin.  Pot metal and thin metals were used. A good example are some of the compass rings and the space rings. In the 1940's Japan still dominated the manufacturing of toy rings but they began using a thicker and more detailed metal material. A good example are the heavier Saddle Rings that were used by Hoppalong Cassidy and other western folks.  The metal is also more pure and not as weak as some of the 1920's and 30's rings.  The 1950's saw the beginning of Hong Kong overtaking Japan.  After the Occupied Japan period, more factories in Japan were beginning to be used for larger items or household items versus novelty toys.  By 1955 Hong Kong had taken the lead considerably and by 1959 they were close to 90% saturation.  Material began to use more tin and the introduction of silver or fake gold coated plastic materials.  By the 1960's Hong Kong was still 90% or higher in the market and the material was tin and plastic and rubber and other material.  As the years progressed, the material moved away from tin or metals and more into the less expensive material. The 1970's saw the first rings from Taiwan and then China.  Hong Kong became less important.  The digital age hit Hong Kong and focus shifted toward non-toy type goods.  As the 1970's ended and the 1980's began rings were almost always being made in China. 

So by examining material and manufacture country, a person can begin to determine the age of toy rings and other novelty type toys.