When Roman numerals are used on a clock face, why is the number 4 usually written as IIII rather than IV? Are there any other instances where IIII is used in favour of IV?

Question

When Roman numerals are used on a clock face, why is the number 4 usually written as IIII rather than IV? Are there any other instances where IIII is used in favour of IV?

In: Other

Answer 1

IIII and VIIII were the original forms of 4 and 9; IV and IX came into use a bit later but there really wasn’t ever a standardized style like you’d think there would be. Some clocks have IV and some have IIII and it may just come down to stylistic preference or the lineage of the clockmaker.