As for the logic as to whether the loops in the P matter and whether they are functionally the same because of how they are written here, I don't think we can make the assumption that they are functionally the same. Here's a possible counter-argument...
Suppose some letters serve more than one purpose. For example, I suspect the "o" glyph may have more than one meaning—it may be a letter in some instances and a modifier (or perhaps a null) in other instances, but it's not necessary to draw them differently because the difference might be obvious (to the original scribe) based on its position, rather than its shape.
So, if the "o" serves more than one purpose, other glyphs might do so as well...
For example, if some of the P shapes are pilcrows and some are letters, then perhaps it might be shown in the above chart with different numbers of loops simply to say, "This shape can have more than one function." I don't think we can automatically assume that they are functionally the same from the way they are presented here.
In fact, I'm not even convinced this 4 x 17 sequence is a VMS alphabet. It only partially matches the main text. It's possible the seventeen symbols are for the purpose of counting, as they were used in Books of Hours and other forms of medieval calenders (in Books of Hours and in moon charts, letters served as space-holders and references for the days of the week or the days of the month rather than any kind of alphabet).
Suppose some letters serve more than one purpose. For example, I suspect the "o" glyph may have more than one meaning—it may be a letter in some instances and a modifier (or perhaps a null) in other instances, but it's not necessary to draw them differently because the difference might be obvious (to the original scribe) based on its position, rather than its shape.
So, if the "o" serves more than one purpose, other glyphs might do so as well...
For example, if some of the P shapes are pilcrows and some are letters, then perhaps it might be shown in the above chart with different numbers of loops simply to say, "This shape can have more than one function." I don't think we can automatically assume that they are functionally the same from the way they are presented here.
In fact, I'm not even convinced this 4 x 17 sequence is a VMS alphabet. It only partially matches the main text. It's possible the seventeen symbols are for the purpose of counting, as they were used in Books of Hours and other forms of medieval calenders (in Books of Hours and in moon charts, letters served as space-holders and references for the days of the week or the days of the month rather than any kind of alphabet).