Posted by dave stockwell on February 17, 1999 at 21:32:39:
In Reply to: Date on #3 posted by Yon Bard on February 17, 1999 at 20:24:21:
Each of the four numerals is different. So, what remains is to match each with the four possible Arabic numerals that have vertical elements and secondary elements to the right of the vertical element. These possibilities are 1, 2, 3 and 4. The first numeral is definitely a "1". The fourth is definitely a "4" (the two disembodied knots form the hook). This leaves "2" and "3" for the second and third numerals. Since the second numeral is wider, it must be the "3". This leaves "2" for the third numeral. The last assignment explains the anomalous bulge at the top right of the second numeral. Thus, the date reads "1324". This translates to C.E. 1906, a perfectly reasonable date for the piece I see.
cordially, d.s.