can anyone tell me these roman numerals mean

[suzanneb]

im trying to find out what 'mcmxlvil' means
its on the bottom of a certificate my dad got for crossing the equator when he was in the navy many yrs ago.
ive found that mcmxlv mean 1946 (ithink) but dont know about the 'il' on the end??

[shero101]

1946 = mcmxlvi

I think the 'l' on the end is a mistake as it doesn't make sense..

m = 1000
cm = 900 (1000-100)
xl = 40 (50-10)
v = 5
i = 1
--------
1946

I am no expert so you may get a more helpful reply.

[dinosour]

The answer may be 1916 depending on how old your dad is. If the figure after the x 1 and the two after the v are also 1 it makes it mcm 1900 x=10 1v =4 11 =2
1900+10+4+2=1916.

If the figures after x and v are L ( 50 ) it would work out 2045. So I would think you're lookng at 1916. Hope this answers your question.

[Quizmonster]

I would presume that the final 'l' just represents another 'i'...mcmxlvii... and, in that case, the year is 1947.

[Octavius]

MCMXLVII is 1947 as QM suggests.

MCMXLVIL is invalid as a roman numeral.

[dinosour]

Octavius should know with a name like that!!! Hope they don't close your care home down!!!!

[burkeas]

1949. The 'l' at the end is an impossibility.

[burkeas]

Excuse me! I meant to put 1946.