Why do Roman clock faces have IIII and not IV for 4?

Answer 1

There is a story that a famous clockmaker had constructed a clock for Louis XIV, king of France. The clockmaker had naturally used IV for four. When the clock was shown to the king, he remarked that IIII should have been used instead of IV. When it was explained to him that IV was correct, he still insisted, so that there was nothing to do but change the clock dial. This introduced the custom of using IIII for four. This is probably only a story, however, as IIII occurs long before the time of Louis XIV. And this same story is also told in connection with other monarchs. There is one reason why IIII is preferable to IV, and it may have caused the change. On the other side of the clock dial the VIII is the heaviest number, consisting of four heavy strokes and one light one, as it is usually made. It would destroy the symmetry to have the IV with only two heavy strokes on the other side. Thus IIII with four heavy strokes is much to be preferred. The change may therefore have been made for reasons of symmetry."

Answer 2

IIII is actually more correct.
Originally, each number was written in full. With every fifth scratch a double scratch, and every tenth, those scratches extended to denote double the double scratch.

These marks later became V and X.

When, for example, the number 8 was written out, it was originally put down as "IIIIVIII"
It then became known as "VIII" as it was obvious that there must have been four I's preceding a "V"
Likewise "IV" was accepted as it denotes the number before the "V".

Its quite likely that "IIII" is used more frequently than "IV" because it is more proper to do so.

Answer 3

Because the Romans had different symbols for different numbers - I = 1 and V = 5 therefore IIII = 4 and IV = 6

Answer 4

Mine has got IV, and I've only occasionally seen IIII.

Answer 5

MY GOSH UR RIGHT!!!!!!
how very observant of u!
I have had that clock there for about 10 years and u know, i never noticed!!

Answer 6

Paddy me boy, it is for us ould fellas. 1111 and 111 look the same when you get to my age. Sure wouldn't I be often late by an hour if I didn't have me reading glasses on............. or on the other hand, often an hour early..........

From Ould Paddy...............

Answer 7

You can use both but IV is more popular

Answer 8

some do some don't, depends of whether it's Greek influenced or not.