Abstract: A commercial transaction system (2) uses a multi-purposed credit/debit/identification card (8) having a randomly generated graphic card holder figurecode (10) uniquely corresponding to, but having no discernable relationship to, the card holder. The figurecode is visually discernable or it can be encoded by digital or analog means using magnetic, optical or magnetoptical media. A computer system (4) stores the graphic figurecode along with identification information of the card holder. A reader (14) is used to access the graphic figurecode for comparison with the stored electronic version in the computer system. An information terminal (18) is adapted to receive information from and, preferably, transmit information to, the computer system. Another aspect of the invention relates to using graphic product I.D.