Abstract: An optically variable security element for securing valuable articles, has a relief grid having a plurality of relief elements arranged in a grid pattern and at least one line grid arranged vertically above or below the relief grid and having a plurality of line elements that run substantially in the same direction and that are location-dependently modulated. The relief grid and the at least one line grid coact to produce for a viewer, through the location-dependent modulation of the line elements, a surface that, with respect to the area of the security element, jumps out and/or back in the form of a specified three-dimensional image motif.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for checking the authenticity of the security element of a value document. For checking the authenticity of the security element, reversed bright/dark modulation is examined. For this purpose, for determining a combination course, the remission course and the transmission course along the longitudinal direction of the security element are set off against each other pixel by pixel and the combination course obtained by setting off pixel by pixel is checked with regard to an intensity modulation along the longitudinal direction of the security element.