The 3-cent Statue of Liberty stamp was the cornerstone of the new "Liberty Series" of definitive stamps, which replaced the 1938 Presidential Series. Its issuance was a significant cultural event. This stamp was one of the first to prominently feature the motto "In God We Trust," a phrase that would become the official national motto two years later in 1956. The design focuses on the head and torch of the statue, set against a backdrop of clouds. The deep violet color and the prominent religious and patriotic message were a reflection of the era's anxieties and a firm statement of American identity in opposition to the perceived godless nature of communism during the Cold War. Because it was the stamp for the standard first-class letter rate, it became one of the most widely used and recognized stamps of its time.