I look at manuscripts every day and I can't see numbers in that squiggle other than maybe the shape for numeral 1. They didn't write 7 like a modern seven, it was written like an upside-down v or a slightly slanted upside-down v. The four was often written like this l.
Sometimes when I look at it, it almost looks like they started with four vertical strokes and then added the rest, but I'm not even sure this is very likely. The "U" shape was probably written in a long stroke (or two strokes well connected since it's difficult to go against the direction of the quill without spattering).
Sometimes when I look at it, it almost looks like they started with four vertical strokes and then added the rest, but I'm not even sure this is very likely. The "U" shape was probably written in a long stroke (or two strokes well connected since it's difficult to go against the direction of the quill without spattering).