Nicolaus Copernicus – 500th Birth Anniversary – Stamps of Poland.

Nicolaus Copernicus ( 19 Feb 1473 -24 May 1543) was a Renaissance era Mathematician and Astronomer who formulated a model of Universe that placed the Sun (Heliocentric Model)rather than earth at centre of Universe ,independently of Aristarchus of Samos who had formulated such a model eighteen centuries earlier.

The Publication of his Book On the Revolutions of Celestial Spheres just before his death in 1543 was a major event in the history of Science trigering Copernican Revolution .

Copernicus was born and died in Royal Prussia part of Kingdom of Poland. A Polyglot and polymath he obtained a Doctorate in Canon Law and was also a Classics Scholar,Physician ,Translator ,Governor, Diplomat ,Economist & Poet.In 1517 he derived quantity theory of money -a key concept in Economics- and in 1519 he formulated an economic Principle that later came to be called Gresham’s Law.

Poland issued a set of three stamps on 26 Jun 1969 to mark his 500th Birth Anniversary. The stamps feature paintings on him .

40 gr – Woodcut by Tobias Stimer -Features a Wood carving

60 gr – Copernicus by Jeremias Falck – Featuring engravings ,Globe & Maps

2.50 zl – paintings by Jan Matejko – Featuring Constellations and Drawings

A FDC  with the three stamps is listed.