Security element having a machine-readable coding

The present invention relates to a security element (12) having a machine-readable code whose information content is not detectible with the naked eye and without auxiliary means, the code exhibiting a coarse code (22) having low information content for detection with a low-resolution sensor and, arranged within the coarse code (22), a fine code (24) having higher information content for detection with a high-resolution sensor of the same kind.