The Statue of Liberty is widely recognized not just by Americans but worldwide as a symbol of freedom. A beloved icon, it has amazingly been recreated in at least ten iterations of LEGO sets. Today we are going to look at each and every LEGO Statue of Liberty.

We will only be covering versions that are brick-built and have been available for purchase, so that excludes the many versions found in LEGOLAND Minilands, costumes, bag tags, and more. Let’s get started with the biggest version!

A Grand Beginning!

The first set (3450) was released in 2000 and was massive at 10.5 pounds, nearly 34 inches tall, and constructed from 2,882 parts. The set included 1,654 2 by X (2 x 3, 2 x 8, etc.) bricks. Never before had AFOLs gotten such a tremendous amount of sand green parts in one place

This set was unusual with the box produced in two versions: a color version for sets sold in retail stores and a black and white version for sets sold directly by The LEGO Group (TLG). The model was just of the statue itself and didn’t include the pedestal, which was included in several later smaller-scale versions.

Fan Designed Retail Set

2005 brought us a smaller statue model via the short-lived Factory series. Set 5526 bundled several fan-designed models into a skyline theme, but the statue was the most notable of the bunch. Designed by The Brick Artist Nathan Sawaya, it nicely depicts both the statue and the pedestal. All of the Factory designs had to be done using the online CAD program at the time, hence the use of regular green versus sand green. I’m somewhat dismayed that The LEGO Group doesn’t have digital instructions available on their website for this series—printed instructions weren’t provided with the original set and buyers had to build digitally at the time.

Small But Effective Models

An even smaller statue was released in 2012 as a polybag version (40026). This model also used regular green to depict the statue using 39 parts. A decent model for its size, the wedge plates seem to give motion to the statue’s gown, as though she is twirling.

The LEGO Americana Roadshow 2014 -2017 was a traveling exhibit of large-scale LEGO architectural models of American landmarks. The display made several regional stops each year in large malls. There were ten models, although not all were displayed each year or at each location. Ten “Make & Take” models were available to visitors, but I’m uncertain whether each stop had a single model or multiple models available.

The model is pretty respectable, despite the unusual light bluish gray color choice for the statue. But the form is pretty decent for the scale, the dark tan pedestal is very nice, and who could argue with free LEGO?! If you want to build one for yourself or any of the other nine models, the instructions are available here.

Tiniest Yet, Tiniest Ever!

The smallest depiction to date appeared in 2016 as part of the 21028 New York City skyline architectural model. Using a sand green trophy figure was a really fun choice. I don’t think this single part will be bettered for the smallest LEGO statue model. Although if you count the pedestal, there were three parts and 19 total if you count the larger base.

This is the only official LEGO model which attempted to depict the 11-point star structure (formerly Fort Wood), which serves as the base for the statue’s pedestal.

Hit or Miss?

2016 also brought a Pick-A-Model (PaM) exclusive to New York City LEGO Brand Retail stores. The model was instantly recognizable as Larry the Cucumber from VeggieTales! “What, it’s not Larry?!” Sorry folks, my mistake. I’m being told this was also supposed to be the Statue of Liberty.

I try not to criticize the model designers. We seldom know what kind of constraints they had in making the design. The 58 parts included 16 different part types and were probably very limited by the Pick-A-Brick (PaB) parts pallet. My ears really perked up during a recent presentation by the Maria Thinggaard, LEGO product manager for PaB. She specifically mentioned how popular this model had been (shows how much I know….). Children really liked the model itself, and AFOLs liked all the sand green parts.

Hard to Beat Collectible Minifigure

One of my all-time favorite collectible minifigures (CMFs) appeared in the 2012 CMF Series 6. Featuring great printed parts and a new crown/hairpiece mold, this figure was excellent. This popular minifigure has also appeared in a magnet set exclusive to New York City LEGO stores (thanks M!), in a glued keychain version, and most recently in the New York City Postcard set 854082. (Seriously, this minifigure might hold the record for the CMF that has appeared in the most other places save for perhaps the original Chicken Suit guy.)

Controversial Masterpiece

Statue of Liberty set 21042 with 1,685 parts was released in 2018 in the Architecture series. I thought this model was exceptional, particularly how the draping of the gown was depicted using the curved slope parts. The photo below comparing the set 5526 statue with 21042 version really highlights the progress made with new elements and refined building techniques. Despite the sculptural success of this model, it created quite a controversy among AFOLs. The choice of the pentagonal tile (shield) for Lady Liberty’s face was quite divisive.

Several alternative face designs have appeared, with at least one online source offering a specific parts kit. Jason Allemann (AKA JK Brickworks) departed from his usual ingenious mechanical LEGO creations and posted a video how to achieve a similar face modification using parts sourced from the original model.

Does This Gown Make Me Look Blocky?

Like the CMF, this 2019 version of the statue is one of my favorite BrickHeadz models (40367). Between the sand green color and the unique crown and torch features, there is no question who this model depicts. The gold minifigure hair is especially effective as the torch flame, repeated from the Architecture version.

Though retired online, this set is still available in New York LEGO Stores and at LEGOLAND NY.

A Portent of Things To Come?

In 2019, The LEGO Movie 2 brought us Welcome to Apocalypsburg (70840). This set was clearly paying homage to **SPOILER ALERT** the final scene from the 1968 Planet of the Apes movie.

LEGO wasn’t the only one inspired by the scene. Here is a small sampling of MOCs at various scales.

What Does The Future Hold?

No, I’m not referring to the future depicted in The Planet of the Apes. The next version of the Statue of Liberty will be 76261 Spider-Man Final Battle (available August 1). This will be the first time the stature is depicted in more of an earth-tone representing the copper version of the statue shown in the movie.

No doubt, we haven’t seen the last LEGO version of this truly iconic sculpture. I believe that many more wonderful versions of the Statue of Liberty will be created by AFOLs and The LEGO Group in future years and we will have to wait to see what LEGO Liberty’s face looks like.

But until then, we wish you a happy July 4th, no matter where you are.

Best of BrickNerd - Article originally published July 4, 2023

What LEGO Statues of Liberty did we miss? Let us know in the comments below!

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