A NEW THEORY ABOUT IIII

[garybrun]

CLOCKING THE FOURS
Why is the number 4 on a clock face depicted as IIII and not as IV? In almost every other use, the Roman for 4 is IV not IIII. But although the question is simple, there is no easy or definite answer.

http://www.web40571.clarahost.co.uk/roman/clockface.htm



Website for responsible Metal Detecting
http://www.ukdfd.co.uk
Recording Our Heritage For Future Generations.

[Dirty Dave Lincoln]

It could be as simple as just personal preference of either the maker or the person who wanted the work done. Some wonderful pictures you've found though.

[historic building]

Actually in medieval accounts, and generally in documents, 4 is usually written as iiij; iv is rare.