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 worldbeyond. 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 thelast 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.

Join us in commemorating the 60th anniversary of the St.Lawrence Seaway with a pure silver coin that is anything but conventional. While the view inside a lockhighlights the waterway's legacy, the anchor-chain rim symbolizes longevity and gives your coin its never-before-seen shape—a fitting tribute to an innovative and ever-evolving marvel.

"The St. Lawrence Seaway is a vital waterway, serving as a key part of the North American logistics chain and as an important gateway for trade with over 50 nations across the globe. Moving cargo over water supports an immense number of jobs, eases congestion on our road and rail links, andprovides the most energy efficient means of gettingtonnage to its destination. Stakeholders win on allcounts!" Terence Bowles, President and CEO of The St. Lawrence SeawayManagement Corporation

Diplomacy. Innovation. Lifeline. Celebrate the 60th anniversary of the St. Lawrence Seaway! Orderyour coin today!

• A FIRST! A CORRUGATED-EDGED 2 OZ. COIN! The anchor-chain rim onyour coin is a marine-inspired twist on traditionaldenticles. This corrugated-edged 2 oz. coin (a first) is made possible by the creative application of newer technology that has never been used on a coin this size (50 mm)—until now!
• A LOVE LETTER TO A SYMBOL OF INNOVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL DIPLOMACY! Your pure silver coin commemorates the 60th anniversary of the St. Lawrence Seaway with a bold design that pays tribute to a vital waterway—one that connects the continent's interior to the Atlantic Ocean.
• PROVIDES A WATER-LEVEL VIEW! Theart provides a water-level view of the St. LawrenceSeaway, where a ship moves through one of the 15 lock systems.
• INCLUDES THE SYMBOLS OF TWO COUNTRIES THAT SHARE ONE RESOURCE! A split maple leaf and star represents the Seaway as a binational partnership between Canada and the United States.
• A NOD TO THE CITIES AND LANDSCAPES… The picturesque Seaway is part of the Great Lakes Waterway that flows past some of our largest population centres, which are represented bythe Montreal skyline in the background.
• …AND TO THE PEOPLE! The anchor is a special tribute to all who oversee the safe and efficient passage of marine traffic through our waters.
• SERIALIZED CERTIFICATE! Your coin includes a serialized certificate!
• TWO OUNCES PURE SILVER! Your coin is crafted from two ounces of 99.99% pure silver.
• NO GST/HST!

Designed by Claire Watson, your coin is a stylized, symbolic celebration of the St. Lawrence Seawayon its 60th anniversary. It features a head-on viewof an eastbound bulk carrier (laker) transiting through the St. Lambert lock, where the Montréal skyline is visible in the distance. A split maple leaf andstar represents a binational partnership between Canada and the United States. A symbol of strength andlongevity, an anchor chain forms the rim like corrugated denticles and gives the coin its unusual shape. The reverse includes the words "THE ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY" and "LA VOIE MARITIME DU SAINT-LAURENT" on a scroll banner that also bears a stylized anchor. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

"My initial design was muchsimpler. I wasn't aware of the process or how detailed the art could be when translating to engraving. My biggest challenge was creating a technical design centred on man-made structures, versus the more organic, nature-inspired subject matter I'm used to working with. It was great for me to step outof my comfort zone and try something new."Claire Watson, Artist

"The shaped, engraved rim sets this coin apart by providing an additional canvasfor engraving that matches the nautical theme of the coin." Howard Lam, Engineer, Royal Canadian Mint

• It is the heart of a 3,700 kilometre-long corridor that connects the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean.
  Stretching from Montréal to Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence Seaway officially includes 13 Canadian and 2 American locks. Together, these lock systems can raise ships that are over two football fields in length more than 168 metres above sea level—about theheight of a 60-story building.
• The St. Lawrence Seaway has a big economic impact.
  It supports nearly 93,000 jobs (including 59,800 in Canada) and generates more than $16.8billion in economic activity within North America. When combined with the Great Lakes and lower St. Lawrence River, the entire Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Waterway (from Lake Superior to the Atlantic Ocean) supports over 328,500 jobs in North America and generates $59.2 billion.
• Almost 3 billion tonnes of cargo valued at over $400 billion have sailed through the Seaway's locks since 1959.
  In a typical year, about 25% of all Seaway traffic is international. Grain and iron ore each represent about 25% of Seaway tonnage, with other dry bulk cargoes (i.e. potash and road salt) contributing another 25%.The balance consists of breakbulk shipments (i.e. steel ingots), project cargo (i.e. wind turbine blades) and liquid bulk (i.e. refined fuel products). 
• A single ship can transport up to 30,000 tonnes of cargo—the equivalent of 964 truckloads and 301 rail cars.
  Maritime transport has the smallest carbon footprint compared to trucking and rail transport, and ships have better fuel efficiency overall: one tonne of cargo can travel 243 km on a single litre of fuel. New regulations in 2006 have also reducedthe risk of aquatic invasive species, while a jointinspection program ensures compliance with updated safety and environmental standards.

Your coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded maroon clamshell with a black beauty box.

Order today!