The Voynich Ninja
[Competition] Best folio number parallels. - Printable Version

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[Competition] Best folio number parallels. - Koen G - 02-10-2026

Several months ago, I was browsing a random manuscript, and suddenly something struck me: the numbers looked a lot like those used for the VM folio numbers. (That is, the ones written top right on every recto, NOT the quire numbers).

I didn't do anything with this yet, since I have no idea how it compares to other manuscripts. Probably this style of writing numbers is extremely common. But how common exactly? Are some features rare or typical for a certain time/region?

Now I just had an idea: why not make a friendly competition out of it? Everyone can recognize numerals in manuscripts, so it doesn't require special skills, just some patience and investigation. My own submission is far from perfect and can be beaten. (I told Marco about it when I found it, so there is a witness to my having selected a manuscript ;))

I prepared a reference image of the VM foliation, taking into account variations for each number. Notice especially the two types of "3", one of which has a remarkable spike on top and a flatter top stroke.
   
I also prepared a spreadsheet, you could use your own copy of it to compare the VM foliation to other numbers you find. See here: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.

Rules
  1. A submitted series of numerals must be from the same manuscript.
  2. Try to find a full series, at least 1 -> 9.
  3. When you want to submit a series, just PM me, or post it here in [spoiler] tags. My reason for keeping submissions secret would be to avoid a premature focus on a single time and place.
  4. If you happen to find a better series later, you can submit that as well - more data points.
  5. Try to compose an image or share your numbers in a copy of the spreadsheet, so that I don't have to hunt through your manuscript to gather numbers from various folios.
  6. Manuscripts will remain a secret until the end, but I will sometimes provide a "leaderboard" based on my subjective feeling. After a while we will come up with a good way to rate.
  7. PLEASE find something that's better than mine - it would look silly if I win my own competition!
  8. At the end, I will add everything to the public spreadsheet.
  9. The winner gets to pick a special color for their row in the spreadsheet as a reward ;)

Of course, the goal of this is to collectively learn more about the context of these numerals. Feel free to discuss everything in this thread:
  • strategies for finding numerals
  • which variations are easy to find, which numbers are harder to match
  • specific properties of numbers we should pay attention to
  • ...


RE: [Competition] Best folio number parallels. - R. Sale - 02-10-2026

Well, one thing is certainly clear. The medieval forms for the numerals '4' and '7', as seen in Typus Arithmetica, have been replaced.

RE: [Competition] Best folio number parallels. - Aga Tentakulus - 03-10-2026

   


(02-10-2026, 09:00 PM)Koen G Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.Everyone can recognize numerals in manuscripts, so it doesn't require special skills,

Until you’re sure you’ve got them all?

RE: [Competition] Best folio number parallels. - Koen G - 03-10-2026

Not sure what you're asking, but if you find some really good numerals but a few are missing, that's also fine.

Some basic thoughts about the number shapes, not sure how useful any of these are:

  1. has a tiny spike top left, sometimes barely visible.
  2. is sometimes shaped almost like a "z", but rather flat and stretched horizontally. Top part may be curved.
  3. has two distinct extremes, with some fluidity between them. The form I find most remarkable has a straight horizontal top with a spike at the left end. The other extreme looks almost like "2", but with the bottom stroke curving down.
  4. looks like a fairly symmetrical "+" sign, with a connection between the left and the top point. The vertical leg is completely vertical, separating it from medieval forms. 
  5. ... it's best to just look at this and find something similar :)
  6. Somewhat variable.
  7. has its both left ends touching the same imaginary vertical line.
  8. has a separate "c" stroke bottom left. The top loop tends to be a bit larger, though I'm not sure if this is important.
  9. looks pretty normal

Zero is a circle.

Leaderboard so far:
  1. Koen
  2. ?
  3. ?


RE: [Competition] Best folio number parallels. - ololololo - 03-10-2026

(03-10-2026, 11:46 AM)Koen G Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.Leaderboard so far:
  1. Koen

  2. ?

  3. ?
It looks funny Big Grin Big Grin

RE: [Competition] Best folio number parallels. - Koen G - 03-10-2026

Just to gauge interest - is anyone actually planning to have a go at this?

RE: [Competition] Best folio number parallels. - Aga Tentakulus - 03-10-2026

(03-10-2026, 11:46 AM)Koen G Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.Not sure what you're asking,

The example is taken from the VM. 
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.

f103 bottom left

RE: [Competition] Best folio number parallels. - Koen G - 04-10-2026

That's a quire mark, those are in a different (earlier) hand.

RE: [Competition] Best folio number parallels. - Aga Tentakulus - 04-10-2026

I see.
Without having to look it up, is that the only name for a quire?

RE: [Competition] Best folio number parallels. - Koen G - 04-10-2026

Organizer's log, day 3/30

No submissions so far, but this is expected: you can't rush perfection. These people set high standards for themselves and aren't content just submitting any old number they come across. I do hope some will come along eventually - it would be a serious blow to our professional reputation if we had to award first prize to our own half-baked entry. There was one visit from a confused local man waving a sign with some faded numbers on it. His request to include quire marks among the folio numbers was unanimously rejected.