Optically variable security element

An optically variable security element for protecting objects of value, the area extension of which defines a z-axis perpendicular thereto, with a reflective area region that shows at least two optically variable effects which can be recognized from different viewing directions, and which appear with different colors, wherein

• the reflective area region includes two independent relief structures comprising micromirror arrangements with directionally reflective micromirrors, which are arranged at different height levels in the z-direction and form a lower-level and a higher-level relief structure,
• the higher-level relief structure is supplied with a first reflection-enhancing coating following the relief profile, and the lower-level relief structure is supplied with a second reflection-enhancing coating following the relief profile;
• the two relief structures overlap in a feature region, and
• the first reflection-enhancing coating is formed in the visible spectral range with a wavelength-dependent reflection and transmission in the visible spectral range, so that
• the higher-level relief structure provides a first optically variable effect visible for a viewer in a first color and in a first viewing angle range, and
• the lower-level relief structure provides a second optically variable effect through the first reflection-enhancing coating, wherein the second optically variable effect is visible for the viewer in a second, different color and in a second viewing angle range different from the first viewing angle range,
• wherein the first reflection-enhancing layer is present in the feature region in a non-gridded manner.