Tip #1 ZIP Code Identification

As you might already know, there are usually several ways to determine the age of an item. If not exactly, at least approximately. Sometimes your lucky and the item actually has a date or hallmark right on it. Though a lot of the time it takes some detective work.


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 Tip # 1

Knowing how an address was written and used in different times can help narrow down a the date of an item.

The Zone Improvement Program (Zip) and their codes as we know it did not come into use in the US until 1963.  As the population and cities grew it became necessary. The Post Office already had a Zone program in use since 1943 in large cities but was not needed everywhere. It was a 2 digit number and would be written as  between city and state in the address. Rural and smaller towns used no numbers. 

In 1963 the "Zone Improvement Program", or ZIP, was put into use. A zone's 5 digit assigned number would be placed after the state for all address. Not just the big cities.

In 1983 the post office added an additional 4 digits to the already 5 digit ZIP code for the bigger cities. Cutting them into even more zones. This addition to the ZIP code was never made a requirement as it was not widely accepted by the public. It is still in used but is not required. It does help in the big cities.

So addresses between 1943 and 1963 would look like this

Philadelphia 14, PA.

After 1963 it would look like this

Philadelphia, PA. 19148

After 1983 (Not required)

Philadelphia, PA. 19148-7461

The address here could either be Pre-1943. or Rural 1943-1963.