A counterfeit detection system is disclosed herein. The system includes an image reduction system for minimizing size of at least one original image using a plurality of different reduction strategies to generate a plurality of minimized images. The system further includes a classification system which includes a first sub-system for generating at least one accuracy comparative assessment metric for each of the plurality of minimized images, a second sub-system for comparing the at least one accuracy comparative assessment metric for each of the plurality of minimized images with an accuracy assessment metric for the at least one original image, and a third sub-system for determining if at least one of the plurality of minimized images can be transmitted with improved or equivalent classification accuracy at a reduced bandwidth when compared to the original image are also part of the system.