Autograph Authentication Report
2024 Mutagen Canister Kids Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #19b
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 | Two-part abbreviated signature: a compact zigzag 'M' block followed by a large-bowled 'P' unit with a long trailing horizontal stroke. The leading block is roughly equal in width to the P unit. | R1-R8 all show the same two-part structure: an angular zigzag 'M' (often reading as 'hl' or 'ul'), a gap, then a 'P'-led unit ending in a long horizontal terminal. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Mild rightward slant relative to the signing direction. Baseline is fairly level along the card's vertical edge, with the terminal stroke running slightly long. | Mild right slant and level to slightly rising baseline in R1, R2, R4 and R7. R3, R5 and R6 rise slightly. | Match |
| Letter construction | M is built from rapid upright and angled strokes forming a 'ul'-like zigzag. The P is a downstroke with a large rounded bowl, and the trailing stroke absorbs the remaining letters without a distinct 't' cross. | The M zigzag is constructed the same way in all references. Most references show the P bowl followed by abbreviated 'g/t' forms and a crossbar-like terminal. R8 and R5 show heavily simplified, scribbled endings. | Natural variation |
| Connecting strokes | The M block appears internally connected, with a lift before the P. The P bowl flows directly into the trailing stroke. | The same lift between the M block and the P unit is seen in R1-R8. The P flows continuously into its terminal. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | Starts have slight hook entries. The ending is a long tapered horizontal tail, with no apparent blunt stop. | Hooked or tapered starts. Long tapered horizontal finish is especially clear in R1, R2 and R4. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Fluid, confident strokes with no visible tremor, patching or hesitation at this resolution. | Fast, fluid marker strokes throughout. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Variable density with heavier deposits at direction changes and lighter tapered ends. A sparkly, uneven ink sheen is visible in the slab photo. | Variable density in R1, R7 and R8 is consistent with felt or paint marker on a glossy stock. | Match |
| Spacing | Moderate gap between the M block and the P unit. | Comparable gaps in R1, R2, R4 and R7. | Match |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. The long terminal tail serves as the only flourish. | No underlines in any reference. The terminal tail is the habitual flourish. | Match |
| Placement and size | Signed vertically along the right side of the artwork, over the background and the edge of the art, at moderate size. | References are crops, so placement cannot be judged directly. They are horizontal across the art at a similar relative size. | Not assessable |
| Reproduction indicators | Ink appears to sit on top of the printed image and crosses the printed art. No halftone dots are visible in the ink, and the ink density is not uniform. | N/A | Match |
Examiner notes
Our card is a 2024 Mutagen Canister Kids Stickers Open Edition artist auto, the same contemporary Magic Marker Art run as all eight references (Nintendopes, Horrorible Kids Series 9, Slop Culture Kids, roughly 2023-2025). Era-driven change is not a factor. Remaining differences come down to surface, 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.
