Apparatus for inspecting characters/numbers of negotiable instrument, and method for inspecting characters/numbers of negotiable instrument

A securities character-number checking apparatus including an imaging device that is configured to capture images of serial numbers printed on a plurality of securities printed on a printing sheet,

• a CPU that is configured to judge whether or not the serial numbers printed on the securities are acceptable based on image data captured by the imaging device, and
• a memory that is configured to store an allowable value among a plurality of allowable values for positions of the serial numbers and a reference position,
• the plurality of allowable values being respectively set in accordance with positions of the securities on the printing sheet, the plurality of allowable values increasing from a leading edge side toward a trailing edge side of the printing sheet, wherein
• the CPU is configured to judge whether or not the serial numbers printed on the securities have been printed properly for each security by obtaining a difference between the position of the serial number and the reference position and comparing the obtained difference with the allowable value corresponding to the position of the security.