Abstract: An anti-counterfeiting mark is formed on a surface of an object, preferably by engraving with a laser at the point of manufacture. The mark includes a padlock symbol visible to a person without magnification for informing the person that anti-counterfeiting techniques are in use. The mark also includes a microscopic pattern. Preferably, the microscopic pattern is varied from object to object for uniqueness. The microscopic pattern must be magnified to properly discern its intricacies. The mark further includes a bar code containing data relating to the microscopic pattern. The microscopic pattern may be compared against the data stored by the bar code to verify authenticity.