On today’s date in 1998, Canada Post released its first coil of 100 self-adhesive stamps.

The goal, according to the Crown corporation, was to improve the postal service by making it more convenient for Canadians to send and receive mail.

“And this fall when Canada Post releases their newest initiative, convenience is certainly the key. Starting on September 30, you will be able to purchase domestic-rate stamps on a coil of 100 self-adhesive stamps. This product will not only save you time and money, but their self-adhesive backing eliminates the need to lick or tear stamps before applying them.”

Designed by Bernhard Mueller, the 45-cent stamp (Scott #1697) features a lithographic image of a stylized maple leaf and had a print run of 2,720,000. Printed by Ashton-Potter, it also has simulated perforations along each side.

The stamp uses the same stylized maple leaf design as the automated teller machine (ATM) stamp released earlier that year (SC #1696). The ATM stamps are untagged, imperforate and have a few minor design differences.