Optically variable security element

An optically variable security element for securing valuable articles, whose areal expanse defines a z-axis perpendicular thereto, having a reflective areal region that displays at least two appearances that are perceptible from different viewing directions,

• the reflective areal region including two relief structures that are arranged at different height levels in a z-direction and form a lower-lying and a higher-lying relief structure, each of which is furnished with a reflection-increasing coating that follows a course of the relief,
• the higher-lying relief structure displaying a first optically variable effect in a first color,
• the lower-lying relief structure being visible through the reflection-increasing coating of the higher-lying relief structure, or through grid spaces or gaps in the reflection-increasing coating of the higher-lying relief structure, and displaying a second optically variable effect in a second, different color, and
• the security element being furnished in an interior layer, which is provided contiguously or in some regions, with at least one machine-readable feature substance;
• wherein the higher-lying relief structure is formed by an embossing lacquer layer whose embossing lacquer includes at least one machine-readable feature substance therein and/or in that the lower-lying relief structure is formed by an embossing lacquer layer whose embossing lacquer includes at least one machine-readable feature substance therein, the at least one machine-readable feature substance comprising an IR-absorbing, IR-transparent, magnetic, electrically conductive and/or luminescent feature substance.

An optically variable security element for securing valuable articles, whose areal expanse defines a z-axis perpendicular thereto, having a reflective areal region that displays at least two appearances that are perceptible from different viewing directions,

• the reflective areal region including two relief structures that are arranged at different height levels in a z-direction and form a lower-lying and a higher-lying relief structure, each of which is furnished with a reflection-increasing coating that follows a course of the relief,
• the higher-lying relief structure displaying a first optically variable effect in a first color,
• the lower-lying relief structure being visible through the reflection-increasing coating of the higher-lying relief structure, or through grid spaces or gaps in the reflection-increasing coating of the higher-lying relief structure, and displaying a second optically variable effect in a second, different color, and
• the security element being furnished in an interior layer, which is provided contiguously or in some regions, with at least one machine-readable feature substance;
• wherein the at least one machine-readable feature substance forms a code that indicates a currency, a series, a denomination and/or a lot of the security element.

An optically variable security element for securing valuable articles, whose areal expanse defines a z-axis perpendicular thereto, having a reflective areal region that displays at least two appearances that are perceptible from different viewing directions,

• the reflective areal region including two relief structures that are arranged at different height levels in a z-direction and form a lower-lying and a higher-lying relief structure, each of which is furnished with a reflection-increasing coating that follows a course of the relief,
• the higher-lying relief structure displaying a first optically variable effect in a first color,
• the lower-lying relief structure being visible through the reflection-increasing coating of the higher-lying relief structure, or through grid spaces or gaps in the reflection-increasing coating of the higher-lying relief structure, and displaying a second optically variable effect in a second, different color, and
• the security element being furnished in an interior layer, which is provided contiguously or in some regions, with at least one machine-readable feature substance;
• wherein the at least one machine-readable feature substance is present in a vapor-deposited layer.