Abstract: In a method for making an article, in particular a card of plastic or paper, presenting a secret code hidden by a layer of opaque, removable material, a first application device applies the secret code on the article, a second application device places the layer of opaque removable material over the secret code and a marking device impresses on the article an anti-counterfeit mark; the latter is made by at least one laser beam and at least partly on the layer of opaque removable material in such a way as to selectively remove a part of the opaque removable material to produce a defined anti-counterfeit code.