Description
This extremely low mintage two ounce $30 fine silver coin commemorates the 60th anniversary of the St. Lawrence Seaway. While the view inside a lock highlights the waterway’s legacy, the anchor-chain rim symbolizes longevity and gives the coin its never-before-seen shape—a fitting tribute to an innovative and ever-evolving marvel. Adding to the collectability, the mintage is limited to just 2,000 coins. HST/GST exempt.
The Design:
The reverse image by Claire Watson is a stylized, symbolic celebration of the St. Lawrence Seaway on its 60th anniversary. It features a head-on view of an eastbound bulk carrier (laker) transiting through the St. Lambert lock, where the Montreal skyline is visible in the distance. A split maple leaf and star represents a binational partnership between Canada and the United States. A symbol of strength and longevity, an anchor chain forms the rim like corrugated denticles and gives the coin its unusual shape. The reverse includes the words “ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY” on a scroll banner that also bears a stylized anchor. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
About the St. Lawrence Seaway:
Its waters serve as the economic lifeblood for two nations. Its channels and locks connect North America’s heartland to the Atlantic Ocean —and the world beyond. In 1959, the newly completed St. Lawrence Seaway was hailed as one of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century. Its canals and lock systems transformed a centuries-old trade route into a crucial commercial artery for the modern age.
Over the last 20 years, The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation improved lock operations by developing and implementing a Hands Free Mooring system, and converting the locks to remote control operation. These are the most significant changes since the Seaway’s construction—innovations that have increased efficiency and safety while making the waterway more competitive than ever. Today, the Seaway is an important shipping route for two nations, as well as a beloved destination for recreational boaters. About 40 million metric tons of vital cargoes transit the Seaway’s locks each year.
