Roman Numerals

Why do clocks use IIII instead of IV for 4?

Still a puzzling choice

The style IV is a relatively modern form of the Roman numeral for 4. IIII was used until modern times.

Several sites have attempted to analyse the origin of this change. Some claim royal heritage in either England or France; others base it on the symmetry of the clock face.

Big Ben (the famous London landmark) uses IV rather than the more usual IIII found on most clocks. Check this new Big Ben site.