2009 Olympic Emblem & Mascot Used Stamps 2306-2313

2009 OLYMPIC EMBLEM AND MASCOT STAMPS 2009

Is there any easier way of telling the difference between the various perforations and the so called Rounded / Sawtooth tips
Rounded are supposed to be 9.2 perf and can come with a valley or peak start.
Sawtooth can be between 7.85 and 9.6 perf and can come randomly with a valley or peak start...this crossover with perfs is rather confusing, especially as my perf gauge is only 8, 9 or 9.25.
It's also rather difficult to tell the difference between rounded and sawtooth.
HELP ???

Discerning the various characteristics of Lowe-Martin produced coils is certainly a requirement these days in Canadian philately.

In this case (Olympic coils), coil rolls of 5,000 produce single stamps that are visually easy to identify. Here are 600dpi scans of the stamps in question:



Another characteristic one can use to differentiate the two printings is by the "nibs". Coil rolls of 100 have stamps that touch each other on the top and bottom (in this case). In order to keep these stamps from separating during the manufacturing process (and subsequent sale at post offices), tiny remnants of paper are left between adjoining stamps (either 3 or 4 per row, called "nibs").

Stamps from coil rolls of 5,000 do not have these nibs because the stamps do not touch each other.

Viewing a single stamp: look for "nibs". You will most likely need a magnifying glass to see them. If they are there (3 or 4 along each of the top and bottom of the stamp), then the stamp is from the roll of 100.

Single used stamps from the rolls of 5,000 are quite scarce. The general public would be using these except for philatelic purposes; only large businesses with specialized stamp-affixing equipment will use these.

That is, the majority of single stamps you look at will be from rolls of 100, and thus, have "nibs". (and thus, be "sawtooth" die cutting)

Robin Harris

Many thanks for detailed response

Robert