A method and apparatus for the representation of binary data. Each bit of binary data corresponds to one of two representations, where each representation is a 3.times.3 array of cells. In a first representation five cells of the array are asserted and four cells are not asserted, and the second representation is complementary to the first representation. In the first representation the asserted cells are the four corner cells and the central cell of the 3.times.3 array. These representations are preferred since they minimize the possibility of long runs of contiguous cells having the same value in an indicia representing a plurality of data bits; which is useful to synchronize scanning of the indicia. An error in the transcription of a data bit is detected by comparison of a nominal representation with the received 3.times.3 array in determining the number of cells which differ between the nominal and the received representations. If the number of cells which differ between the nominal and the received representations is less than five, the received 3.times.3 array is assumed to correspond to the selected nominal representation, otherwise the received array is assumed to correspond to the complementary representation. In one embodiment disclosed, binary data is represented by printing indicia composed of pluralities of such 3.times.3 arrays. In another embodiment disclosed the printed binary data comprises encrypted information printed on an envelope to verify proper payment of postage for that mail piece.