Abstract: The present invention provides a method of authenticating objects, comprising embedding a unique plurality of randomly-located, irregularly shaped, non-interconnected, electrically conductive regions within the surface of said object to thereby provide a unique electrically readable signature correlated to the genuine document; providing a unique identifier on the object; providing means for electrically reading said unique signature and digitally storing the signature in connection with the unique identifier for that object, and when an object is to be authenticated, obtaining a digitized record of the signature and comparing it to the stored signature.