Method for deterring forgeries and authenticating signatures

Claim 1

A forgery deterrent and authentication method for signatures, comprising the steps of: a. registering the principal with a central registrar that issues to the principal an information bearing medium that includes an encoded personal identification number and a second numbered code and facsimile signature; b. placing the information bearing medium on an item by the principal next to the principal's signature with a tamper proof adhesive; c. reading of the principal's information bearing medium placed on the item using the central registrar; d. identifying the principal through the principal's personal identification number by the central registrar; e. identifying of the item through the second numbered code by the central registrar; f. identifying of the item through the facsimile signature by the central registrar; g. providing a certificate of authenticity by the central registrar including thereon a second information bearing medium with an identical personal identification number and second numbered code; and h. maintaining a database that identifies principals, items, the current known holder of an item and the date of issuance of a certificate of authenticity.