1. A paper discriminating apparatus wherein a paper, in which character strings inherent for each sheet are recorded on a plurality of character areas, is detected so that the paper is discriminated in accordance with image data obtained by detection of the paper, said paper discriminating apparatus comprising: a character sensor for reading the plurality of character areas of the paper in form of an image; a character recognition unit for recognizing the character strings recorded on the plurality of character areas in accordance with image data obtained by said character sensor; and a character decision unit for deciding a coincidence between the character strings recorded on the plurality of character areas, said character strings being recognized by said character recognition unit.