The invention relates to an absorbent medium for improving the overprintability, in particular by inkjet printing, of a security element, in particular an optically variable security element, comprising a binder, at least one pigment and an in particular aqueous solvent. The invention furthermore relates to a transfer film with an absorbent layer made of such an absorbent medium as well as a method for personalizing a security element using such a transfer film.

A tradeable commodity or instrument, a trading system for a plurality of such commodities, a method of trading using such a system and security systems related thereto. The tradeable instrument comprises a secure container constituted by a transparent cover (12), a stone holder pad (14), a set of diamonds (15), a diamond or stone holder (16), a data card (18), a bottom cover (20) and a tamper evident band (22) interconnected into a secure, tamper-evident envelope. The data card (18) incorporates physical and digital security features. In addition, at least one externally readable programmable logic device is incorporated in the tradeable instrument card. The tamper evident band (22) is shrunk onto the tradeable instrument card and includes physical security features in the form of holographic foils incorporated in the band.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for light-based authentication of a payment card. The payment card may include a randomized mix of materials. The materials may include transparent or translucent materials. A light source may shine light on a surface of the payment card. Light passing through the card may generate a light pattern that is unique to the payment card. The light pattern may be captured and compared to a reference light pattern to authenticate the payment card. In some embodiments, photodetectors may detect light patterns generated through interactions with the card materials.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for light-based authentication of a payment card. The payment card may include a randomized mix of materials. The materials may include transparent or translucent materials. A light source may shine light on a surface of the payment card. Light passing through the card may generate a light pattern that is unique to the payment card. The light pattern may be captured and compared to a reference light pattern to authenticate the payment card. In some embodiments, photodetectors may detect light patterns generated through interactions with the card materials.

A novel security feature for a valuable and/or security product is formed by a pattern that is formed on at least one carrier surface and has a color progression structure that is formed with a digital printing method from pattern elements arranged in a grid. The color progression structure is produced with at least two luminescence media that exhibit spectrally different luminescences. The valuable and/or security product according to the invention has one or more product carriers and at least one security feature that is arranged on or in the product carrier or carriers.

A novel security feature for a valuable and/or security product is formed by a pattern that is formed on at least one carrier surface and has a color progression structure that is formed with a digital printing method from pattern elements arranged in a grid. The color progression structure is produced with at least two luminescence media that exhibit spectrally different luminescences. The valuable and/or security product according to the invention has one or more product carriers and at least one security feature that is arranged on or in the product carrier or carriers.

A laser-assisted method embeds luminescent taggant particles in the surface of a substrate to provide a covert method of evaluating the authenticity of articles so treated.

A laser-assisted method embeds luminescent taggant particles in the surface of a substrate to provide a covert method of evaluating the authenticity of articles so treated.

A security device (100, 600, 700) includes one or more arrangements of image icons (100a, 110b, 615, 715), one or more arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements (120, 605, 705), and a sealing layer (127, 600, 1005) which includes an organic resin and nanoparticles. Further, the one or more arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements is disposed above the one or more arrangements of image icons such that a portion of the one or more arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements forms a synthetic image of a portion of the one or more arrangements of image icons. Still further, the one or more arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements contact the sealing layer along a non-planar boundary.

Aspects described herein may allow for a payment card assembly including a payment card having a first surface and an opposed second surface, and being formed of a biodegradable plastic. A Europay, Mastercard, and Visa (EMV) chip may be removably secured to the payment card. One or more plant seeds may be embedded in the payment card.