Autograph Authentication Report
2024 Mutagen Canister Kids Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #22a
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: an angular 'M' complex, then a looped 'P' unit with a trailing horizontal terminal. Rendered compactly. | R1–R8 show the same abbreviated structure: an angular zig-zag 'M' followed by a 'P' with a crossbar or 't'-like element and a long trailing stroke. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Signed vertically along the card's right edge. Once rotated, it shows a rightward-leaning letterform with a fairly level baseline. | Moderate right slant on a level to slightly rising baseline (R1, R4, R5, R7). | Match |
| Letter construction | The 'M' is built from sharp peaks with a leading entry stroke. The 'P' is formed with a loop and bowl, followed by a crossing stroke. | The 'M' is built from sharp peaks in R1–R8. The 'P' bowl and crossing element closely parallel R4 and R7. | Match |
| Connecting strokes | A pen break between the first-name unit and the surname unit, with internal connections inside each unit. | The same break between the units appears consistently in R1–R8. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | Tapered entry into the 'M'. The ending is an extended trailing stroke. | R1 and R8 show a long lead-in and an extended terminal. R2–R7 show shorter but similar endings. | Natural variation |
| Line quality and speed | Strokes look fluid with no visible tremor at this resolution. Ink density varies along the strokes. | Fast, fluid marker strokes throughout. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Heavier ink at turns and the 'P' loop, lighter in the connectors. | Similar heavier ink at direction changes (R1, R7, R8). | Match |
| Spacing | Compact, with a small gap between the units. | Compact on the sticker-format references (R2–R7). R1 and R8 are more expansive because they had more room. | Natural variation |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. Only the trailing terminal stroke. | No underlines in any reference. Terminal strokes only. | Match |
| Placement and size | Vertical placement on the right margin over the artwork, in blue ink, of moderate size. | The reference crops do not show placement on the card. Blue ink is common across them (R1, R2, R4, R5, R7, R8); R3 and R6 are in a dark or black-green tone. | Natural variation |
Examiner notes
Our item is a 2024 Mutagen Canister Kids Stickers Open Edition (No. 22a) artist auto. That makes it contemporaneous with the Nintendopes Open Edition references (R2–R7) and close in time to the Magic Marker Art releases (R1, R8). All references appear to come from the same modern, compact signing period, so no meaningful era drift is expected.
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.
