The black number in the second serpent reads 4.6.9.15.12.19, which reduces as follows:
| 4 × | 2,880,000 = | 11,520,000 |
| 6 × | 144,000 = | 864,000 |
| 9 × | 7,200 = | 64,800 |
| 15 × | 360 = | 5,400 |
| 12 × | 20 = | 240 |
| 19 × | 1 = | 19 |
| ————— | ||
| 12,454,459 | ||
Assuming that the date below this number, 13 Akbal 1 Kankin, was the terminal date, its starting point can be shown by calculation to be just the same as the starting point for the previous number, that is, the date 9 Kan 12 Kayab, and as mentioned above, this date appears above the animal figure emerging from the mouth of this serpent.
The last Serpent number in plate [32], the red number in the second serpent, reads, 4.6.1.9.15.0 and reduces as follows:
| 4 × | 2,880,000 = | 11,520,000 |
| 6 × | 144,000 = | 864,000 |
| 1 × | 7,200 = | 7,200 |
| 9 × | 360 = | 3,240 |
| 15 × | 20 = | 300 |
| 0 × | 1 = | 0 |
| ————— | ||
| 12,394,740 | ||
Assuming that the date below this number, 3 Kan 17 Uo,[[263]] was its terminal date, its starting point can be shown by calculation to be just the same as the starting point of the two preceding numbers, namely, the date 9 Kan 12 Kayab, which appears above this last serpent.
Fig. 85. Example of first method of numeration in the codices (part of page 69 of the Dresden Codex).
It will be seen from the foregoing that three of the four Serpent dates above described are counted from the date 9 Kan 12 Kayab, a date actually recorded in the text just above them. The all-important question of course is, What position did the date 9 Kan 12 Kayab occupy in the Long Count? The page (62) of the Dresden Codex we