A treat for collectors. Nicolaus Copernicus on new Polish Post stamps.

On January 25 this year, at the Secretariat of the Polish Episcopal Conference, Poczta Polska presented its philatelic plans related to the celebration of the Nicolaus Copernicus Jubilee Year.

Krzysztof Falkowski, President of Poczta Polska, and Wiesław Włodek, Vice President responsible for the company's philatelic activities, presented a new postage stamp from the "550th Anniversary of the Birth of Nicolaus Copernicus" issue, which will enter circulation on January 29th of this year. The stamp features a portrait of the astronomer, normally found in the epitaph at the Archcathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Andrew in Frombork.

"Nicolaus Copernicus is one of the most famous Poles in the world. His discoveries can easily be called groundbreaking for humanity. It should therefore come as no surprise that Poczta Polska, which commemorates important figures and events, has not forgotten the commemoration of the birth anniversary of our eminent astronomer and canon. We will dedicate three special issues to Nicolaus Copernicus – two stamps and a first-day-of-circulation envelope. I am convinced that our publications will contribute to the popularization of knowledge about our eminent astronomer and clergyman, a fact few people remember," emphasizes Krzysztof Falkowski, President of Poczta Polska.

The portrait of Nicolaus Copernicus was painted in oil on copper sheet and is based on images of him in the works of Nicolaus Reussner and Jacob Boissard. This painting depicting the Polish astronomer is of great artistic value. It is the only surviving image of Nicolaus Copernicus located in Frombork, where he created his works for 31 years. The city was also the astronomer's last residence before his death.

During the ceremony, a cooperation agreement was also signed between the Frombork – Cathedral Complex Historical Monument Museum and the Polish Post. The aim of the cooperation is to promote knowledge about the person and achievements of Nicolaus Copernicus.

The conference inaugurating the Nicolaus Copernicus Jubilee Year was attended by those involved in organizing the celebrations: Andrzej B. Piotrowicz, president of the board of the Pomeranian Common Europe Association, Brother Zdzisław Duma, Father Dr. Tomasz Garwoliński, and Father Prelate Dr. Jacek Wojtkowski.

It's worth noting that in 2022, Poczta Polska issued "Copernicus" philatelic thalers featuring the astronomer, created using NFT technology. These are exchangeable, one-time-use cryptocurrency tokens that function as gift vouchers. They can be exchanged for a digital version of the "Poland in Space" crypto stamp, which will go on sale in February. The first Polish Poczta Polska crypto stamps, and among the first in the world, will be available at nft.poczta-polska.pl.

About the stamp:

Designer: Poczta Polska
Number of stamps: 1
Value: PLN 3.90
Circulation: 128,000 pcs
Printing technique: offset
Stamp format: 45 x 45 mm, including a circle with a diameter of 40 mm
Paper: fluorescent
Sales sheet: 8 stamps
Date of introduction into circulation: January 29, 2023