Autograph Authentication Report
2021 Nintendopes Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #40a
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 angular 'M' plus small looped letters, a gap, then a 'P'-based group ending in a long horizontal 't'-type terminal. The first group is roughly equal in width to the second. | R1, R4, R5, R6 and R8 show the same two-group abbreviated form with the same proportions. R7 is larger and more extended but has the same skeleton. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Slight right slant with a fairly level to gently rising baseline across both groups. | Same slight right slant and level-to-rising baseline in R1, R2, R4, R6 and R8. R3 is a little more upright. | Match |
| Letter construction | The 'M' is built from a short left downstroke followed by an angular zigzag. A small 'l/e' loop follows. The 'P' has a tall stem and a compact bowl, then a 'g/t' form with a descending loop. | The identical 'M' zigzag construction and small following loop appear in R1, R4, R6 and R8. The 'P' stem and bowl followed by the loop/terminal is consistent across R1, R4, R5 and R8. | Match |
| Connecting strokes | The 'M' connects continuously into the following loop. A pen lift separates the first and last-name groups. The 'P' group connects into the terminal stroke. | The same connection and lift pattern appears in R1, R4, R6 and R8. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | Starts with a quick entry stroke on the 'M'. Ends with a long, fast horizontal terminal that tapers at the right. | A long horizontal tapered finishing stroke is a hallmark in R1, R4, R6, R7 and R8. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Fluid, confident strokes with tapered terminals. No visible tremor, hesitation or patching at this resolution. | References likewise show fast, fluid execution. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Heavier on downstrokes and lighter on the terminal flick. Ink density varies naturally. | Similar pressure variation is seen in R4, R6 and R8. | Match |
| Spacing | Clear gap between the first-initial group and the 'P' group. | The same inter-group gap appears in all Nintendopes references. | Match |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. The only flourish is the extended terminal stroke. | No underlines in the references. R6 adds a slightly more pronounced crossing on the second group, and R7 is more elaborate overall. | Natural variation |
| Placement and size | Signed vertically along the left border over the artwork in blue/black marker, moderate size. | The reference crops do not show orientation on the card. All are moderate-size marker signatures over the artwork in similar ink colors. | Natural variation |
| Reproduction indicators | Ink appears to sit on top of the printed art, with no visible halftone dot pattern in the signature strokes at this scan resolution. | N/A | Not assessable |
Examiner notes
Our card is a 2021 Nintendopes Stickers Open Edition artist auto (No. 40a). R1-R6 and R8 come from the same Nintendopes Open Edition artist-auto run, so they are essentially contemporaneous. R7 (Magic Marker Art Slop Culture Kids) is a different but closely related Magic Marker Art release from the same general period. No meaningful career-era drift is expected, and the differences seen are within same-period variation from surface, pen 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.
