Third Class Mail - Weight?

Calling Mr. Becker and other postal historians who can figure out what 12¢ worth of four cent Lincoln coil Liberty stamps pays for weight wise on this piece of third class mail. I have the Tony W./Henry Beecher book, but am a rookie at this. Dave

Pieces like this can be impossible to pin down exactly. The use of most definitive stamps often spans several rate periods. Third class mail often has no date. In this case ... is it single-piece 3rd class mailed between 1/7/1963-1/6/1968 at 4 cents per 2 ounces, thus weighing between 4 and 6 ounces? Or could it be mailed between 1/7/1968-5/15/1971 at 6 cents per 2 ounces thus weighing between 2 and 4 ounces? Or something else? A similar situation may occur with high-value registered covers where there are several rate/value combinations which work.

John, thank you for the quick response. I've been able to establish that the school in the address, Lyndon B. Johnson Jr. High School was at least in existence by 1966 and continues to this day as Johnson Middle School. The addressed town of Eau Gallie, Florida ceased existence in 1969 when on July 15, 1969, a referendum merged the former cities of Melbourne and Eau Gallie. In November 1969, the name of the consolidated city (Melbourne) was selected by referendum. So, both rate periods you reference are still in play with the odds favoring the first, January 7, 1963 to January 6, 1968. Thanks again for your input. Dave

John, I'd like to put this oversized cover on ebay giving credit for the rate info to a "member of the Stamp Community Forum" without disclosing your name if that is ok with you. Dave

That's fine, although it may not be worth the cost of postage to get it sent to the winner.

Yes, other origin and destination clues can lead to the period of use, although in this case your narrowing efforts from both ends didn't quite make a final answer. Good try though!