this post was submitted on 25 Apr 2024
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VIIII is a valid way to write 9, though antiquated. If you look at very old clocks, you'll see they all use this notation.
Didn't realize homie was an antiquated clock. (Assumed the usage of Roman numerals, like in the references being made, in which case I don't believe the clumsy VIIII only used on old clocks would really be valid.)
This made me really laugh. Thought I would let you know 😂
VIIII wasn't exclusive to clocks, that's the only long-lasting example we still have access to.
Your point is that VIIII was ever used in history? Happily conceded.
The reason clocks use it, is to not make it look visually unbalanced. Most often they write 4 as IIII. I find it infuriating to break such a simple rule though.
But also, I've never ever seen VIIII.
Julius Caesar's memoir of war in Gaul makes use of VIIII, for instance. You're right that it's much rarer, but was still used contemporarily and in modern times.