Abstract: A coded property identification system, typically including a stencil and stencil kit, for the marking of personal property with owner identification symbols, to deter theft and also to identify the rightful owner of stolen personal property which has been recovered by law enforcement authorities. The stencil is an elongated flat strip of material such as plastic, which is apertured with a series of openings arranged generally in a line. Each of the openings corresponds to a recognizable symbol such as a number or a letter. In the system, the combination of the symbols for any given stencil is a unique permutation, so that identification of the owner of the personal property may be readily ascertained, once the stencil has been used to etchably or otherwise permanently mark the personal property. The owner of the personal property is ascertained by reference to a particular and specific master code.