Key and associated lock

A key (1) for locking a lock, comprising

• a. at least one first surface (2) and at least one second surface (2′),
• b. with a plurality of sensing positions (4) provided along a longitudinal extent of the key (1),
• c. at which plurality of sensing positions on the first surface (2) at least one first code (3) is provided for reading in the lock and at least one second code (3′) is provided on the second surface (2′) for reading in the lock,
• wherein the at least one first code (3) of the first surface (2) differs, at least at one sensing position, (4) from the at least one second code (3′) at the same sensing position (4),
• wherein the at least one first and second codes (3, 3′) are configured, at least at a first sensing position of the plurality of sensing positions (4), so that to lock the lock, the codes at said at least a first sensing position must be read on both surfaces (2, 2′),
• wherein, at at least a second sensing position (4) of the plurality of sensing positions, the at least one first code (3) of the first surface (2) is identical to the at least one second code (3′) on the second surface (2′), so that to lock the lock, the codes (3, 3′) at the at least a second sensing position only have to be read on one surface (2, 2′) of the key.