Autograph Authentication Report
2024 Mutagen Canister Kids Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #2b
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 | Compact two-part abbreviated signature: a zigzag 'M' group followed by a looped 'P' form and a long terminal cross-stroke. Total length is moderate relative to height. | R1, R3, R4, R6, R7 and R8 all show the same abbreviated structure: an angular 'M'/'Ml' zigzag, a gap, then a 'P' form ending in a 't'-like crossing stroke. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Slight rightward slant. The baseline rises gently, and the signature was written vertically along the right edge of the sticker. | References show a mild right slant with a roughly level-to-rising baseline (R1, R3, R8). R5 and R7 are more compressed. | Natural variation |
| Letter construction | The 'M' is a sharp up-down zigzag with a small trailing hook. The 'P' has a descending stem and a forward loop, followed by a pointed 't'-type form. | The angular 'M' with hooked ending is closely paralleled in R1, R3 and R8. The P-loop and pointed follow-on forms match R1, R2 and R6. | Match |
| Connecting strokes | The 'M' group is connected internally. There is a pen lift or gap before the 'P' group, which is connected through to the end. | The same lift between the first and second groups appears in R1–R8. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | The start appears tapered. The ending is a long, extended horizontal/diagonal cross-stroke. | R1 and R8 show the same long terminal stroke. R4 and R6 have shorter, sticker-constrained endings. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | At crop resolution the strokes look fluid, with no visible tremor or blunting. Resolution is limited. | Fast, fluid marker strokes throughout the references. | Natural variation |
| Pen pressure pattern | Ink density varies modestly along strokes, which is consistent with a hand-applied marker. | Similar modest variation in R1, R3 and R8. | Natural variation |
| Spacing | A distinct gap between the first-name and surname groups. | Same spacing habit across the references. | Match |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline; the terminal stroke serves as the flourish. | No underlines in any reference; the extended final stroke is common. | Match |
| Placement and size | Vertical along the right side, crossing printed art (canister and border area), in blue ink. | Sticker references are signed in open areas or across art, with no fixed placement. R1 is in a designated autograph area. | Natural variation |
Examiner notes
Our item is a 2024 Mutagen Canister Kids open-edition sticker (No. 2b), so the signature is contemporary, 2024 or later. All eight references are from the same period (2023–2025): the Nintendopes open-edition stickers (R2–R8) and the Horrorible Kids Series 9 autograph card (R1). No meaningful era drift is expected. Differences come mainly from surface (glossy sticker stock vs. card), pen (fine blue/black markers), and placement orientation.
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.
