What sort of numerals does Big Ben (Westminster - London) have?

[Haynes67]

Not for the horologists, but no doubt you are all going to tell me.

[Haynes67]

So i was right afetr all ( R1Geezer) this is the conclusive quote from the link you sent me- emphasis on the words I have bracketed
Many clocks use IIII because that was the tradition ( established by the earliest surviving clock), the Wells Cathedral clock built between 1386 and 1392.( It used IIII because that was the typical method used to denote 4 in contemporary manuscripts) (as iiij or iiii). That clock had an asymmetrical 24-hour dial and used (Arabic numerals) for a minute dial and a moon dial, so theories depending on a (symmetrical 12-hour clock face do not apply).[5]
Good research though!

[ChuckFickens]

did you actually look at the Wells cathedral clock?

http://en.wikipedia.o...hedral_clock_dial.jpg

[fredpuli47]

No Haynes, you are not 'right after all' The outer dial has Roman numerals (two lots of I to XII it being a 24 hour chapter ring ). The innermost dial, to which the moon relates, has Arabic numerals.The middle ring is the ' minute' dial being described in the quote you rely on in your link 'The clock had an asymmetrical 24 hour dial and used Arabic numerals for a minute dial and a moon dial' It does.The 24 hour dial is in Roman numerals and in Arabic ones for the minute and moon dials.We still do this in modern times.The late C17 and C18 clockmakers of England used Roman numerals for the hours on the chapter ring but Arabic ones for the minutes and this practice continues.

The reference to IIII and balance is because, exceptionally, the clock is 24 hour and so there's no VIII to match the IIII so in this instance balance was not a consideration.The maker used the Roman IIII not the Roman IV.

You can see this from Chuck's link.

[Marijn]

What is the definitive, proven answer then?

[mollykins]

i find it really hard to how many characters there are when you have more than 3 dots or I s etc really close together . . . is that normal?

[dothawkes31]

why was magic shouting at me ? who cares how it's typed on a ketboard it's not like it is going to type inh roman numerals anyway tut

[R1Geezer]

The definitive answer is that both IIII and IV are roman numerals, 01234567890 are Arabic numerals. Haynes, as already pointed out the minute dial has the Arabic numerals. Don't try that watch thing to win pints because It's boll0cks mate, for example you can write 100 in Roman Numerals as C or XXXXXXXXXX makes no difference.

[magicmerlin]

In your reply timed at 1458 yesterday you state 'The simple answer is that the clock face of the parlimentary westminster clock (Big Ben) are indeed gothic roman numerals and in this respect it is unique'.

Big Ben is a bell and NOT the clock.

If you are going to correct other people's inaccuracies please make sure that your answers are 100% foolproof.

[another-view]

magicmerlin - In the third post, he says he means the clock not the bell. if you are going to correct other people's inaccuracies please make sure that you have read the question.

[magicmerlin]

another-view - I suggest that you have another read of the 3rd question and my reply which clearly points out that 'Big Ben' is a BELL and not the clock face.

See first line of Wikipedia:- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Ben

[Haynes67]

When I asked in my 2nd question what sets it (the Westminster Clock sometimes incorrectly called Big Ben) apart (and makes it unique) from all the other clocks and watches in the country that appear as if they have roman numerals? I was asking what sets it apart today? Not throughout history or how it got to be as it is, or how the rest of the clocks in rest of world became how they are, but quite simply how it appears today differently from the rest….. as they appear today! I did also actual say in the country meaning in this country!
Now as I said some time back what is commonly known as Arabic numerals on clock & watch faces 'today' have the 4 depicted as IIII
Whereas what all children in the country are taught at school is that the roman numeral for 4 is IV. Hence the Westminster Clock is unique in having IV for the figure 4 whereas all the others have IIII. That is TODAY in this COUNTRY.
Talk about being pedantic!!
And I can assure you if you have a genuine varied circle of friends,who can not possibly all be horologist orientated, then you will win a few pints. One thing for sure, this as certainly generated more interest than any other subject on this forum for some time. With 30 + responses so far in such a short time; no other subject comes near; I should not have said that; no doubt some-one out there will contradict me.
Keep clocking in; all of you….

[sophie_1003]

http://en.wikipedia.o...bic_alphabet#Numerals

Two types of Arabic numerals listed here, neither sort have IIII for 4.