A method and apparatus for generating a Value Bearing Indicium (VBI) for
on-line ticketing applications. A VBI may be generated by hashing user
information to create a message digest that is used to create a digital
signature. The digital signature is combined with the user information to
create a VBI that can be validated by a variety of stand-alone or on-line
methods. An on-line ticketing application using the VBI is described.