SOURCE: "Copernicus the Economist" and "De Revolutionibus" in Copernicus: Scholar and Citizen, Interpress Publishers, 1972, pp. 83-115.

In the essays below, Biskup and Dobrzycki discuss first Copernicus's work as an economic advisor to the Prussian Estates and then the development of the ideas and text of his De Revolutionibus.

Copernicus the Economist

Copernicus was for many years in Warmia engrossed in economic matters and monetary questions. He introduced many new and stimulating ideas into economics, some of them much ahead of his time, and hence did not always meet with understanding. But it is worth looking closer at his practical measures and theoretical writings in this field for it forms a separate and important chapter in his life.

Among the economic problems which were examined by Copernicus that of the Prussian coinage occupies pride of place.

This problem first attracted his attention in 1510. Working in the administration and becoming...