FIELD: physics.
SUBSTANCE: method of authenticating a valuable document with spatial resolution includes measuring at least one intensity distribution of electromagnetic radiation (7) in a dark field and determining therefrom the spatially resolved characteristic of the dark field, wherein selected verification partial regions (51a, 51b) of the valuable document (BN) are respectively associated with one of multiple specified suspicion classes; forming an interrelation region substantially from interrelated verification partial regions (51a, 51b), which were associated with a defined suspicion class, and depending on the shape and/or position of the interrelation region, associating the valuable document (BN) with one of two authenticity categories, which is associated with the defined suspicion class.
EFFECT: high accuracy of authentication.
15 cl, 15 dwg
