Autograph Authentication Report
2024 Mutagen Canister Kids Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #29a
Findings
Signature comparison
This card. The signature as cropped from the slab photo (front).
Below, the known examples Crown compared it with. Examples with stronger proof (signed in front of staff, or certified by an independent authenticator) carry the most weight.
Feature by feature
| Feature | This card | Known examples | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall form and proportions | Abbreviated two-part signature: a compact zigzag 'M' group, then a larger 'P' with a following looped/angular form ending in a long horizontal crossing stroke. The 'P' section is taller than the initial group. | All eight show the same abbreviated structure: a zigzag 'M' (often N-like with a short trailing hook), a gap, then a tall 'P' and a 'gt'-type ending capped by a long horizontal crossbar (R1, R2, R5, R7 especially clear). | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Signed vertically along the right edge, rising toward the logo. Relative to its own axis the signature is moderately right-slanted with a slightly rising baseline. | Moderate right slant with a level to slightly rising baseline (R1, R2, R6, R7). | Match |
| Letter construction | 'M' formed as rapid angular peaks with a short hooked terminal. 'P' is a tall stem with a loop. The final form ends in a cross/'t'-like stroke. Low resolution limits fine detail. | Same angular 'M' peaks (R1, R3, R8), tall 'P' stem with loop (R1, R2, R7), and crossed terminal 't' (R4, R5, R6, R8). | Natural variation |
| Connecting strokes | The 'M' group and 'P' group appear separated by a lift, with the terminal crossbar made as a sweeping final stroke. | Consistent lift between the 'M' and 'P' groups in nearly all references, and the terminal crossbar applied as a separate sweep. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | Start appears tapered into the first 'M' peak. The end is a long horizontal crossbar that appears to taper. | Tapered entry. Long tapering horizontal exit/crossbar (R1, R2, R7, R8). | Match |
| Line quality and speed | In the full slab image the strokes look fluent and quickly executed, with no obvious tremor or blunt stops at this resolution. | Fast, fluent, somewhat scrawled execution throughout. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Moderate, fairly even marker line with some thinning at the terminals. Not reliably assessable at this resolution. | Marker lines with mild thick/thin variation at turns. | Not assessable |
| Spacing | Compact 'M' group, a modest gap, then a wider 'P'/terminal group. | Same grouping and spacing rhythm. | Match |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. The terminal horizontal crossbar is the only flourish. | No underlines. The long crossbar is the characteristic flourish. | Match |
| Placement and size | Placed vertically over the artwork on the right side of the sticker, spanning roughly the logo to mid-figure, in black fine marker. | Signed over artwork on stickers in black or blue marker (R2–R8 black/blue on art). R1 is on a card. Orientation varies by piece. | Natural variation |
Examiner notes
Our card is a 2024 Mutagen Canister Kids sticker, Open Edition artist auto. References R2–R8 come from the same Pingitore Open Edition sticker program (Nintendopes), and R1 is a Horrorible Kids Series 9 card. All appear contemporary, roughly 2023–2024, so no meaningful era drift is expected. Differences seen here are attributable to surface (glossy sticker stock), pen (fine black marker), orientation and signing speed.
How Crown authenticates autographs: the signature is compared with known examples gathered from Crown's own authenticated cards, independent authenticators and public listings, measured by software, examined by an AI forensic model, and signed off by Crown Grading staff. The decision above is Crown's.
