[fsckboy]

the point is that you can have a single die that cuts XVIIIII, and use it iv times and get what you need for I II III IIII V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII

this is not for modern manufacturing of millions, it's for one at a time clockmaking in a little shop, for which it's a pretty efficient way to accomplish the task and doesn't require keeping an inventory

[a1369209993]

> you can have a single die that cuts XVIIIII, and use it iv times

To be a bit more explicit, you use the the die four (4) times, and get 4 Xs, 4 Vs, and 4*IIIII = 20 Is, which is exactly right for I II III IIII V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII. Using IV would mean a 5 Vs, but only 4 Xs, and 17 Is, so you couldn't cut a full set with a single die without using a much larger die (= more work making and using the die) or having extra pieces (= wasted material) left over.

[tadfisher]

Wouldn't that also work with IXIVIII on the die? How do you print IX with yours?

An improvement would be IXIVIII actually, then all combinations can be located in that string.

[nwiswell]

> How do you print IX with yours?

You rotate XI 180 degrees.

[maratc]

In most serif typefaces, one of the glyphs is significantly thicker than the other, and they don't meet exactly at 50% height. If one rotates the letter X 180 degrees, it would look out of place.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e6/Capitali...

[froh]

there is no XI in XVIIIII though

ah nvadr spells it out:

VIIIIX

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39722131

[TylerE]

No, because you need a 5th V for IV. Adding a V is more overhead than adding a I, and will give you 3 V's you have no use for.

[Waterluvian]

Oh that’s clever!