Autograph Authentication Report
2021 Nintendopes 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 | Compact two-part abbreviated signature. A wide zigzag 'M' with a small trailing 'c'-like loop, a gap, then a tall 'P' followed by a reduced 'to'-type ending. The second element is slightly taller than the first. | R1, R2, R3, R5 and R8 show the same two-cluster structure: a zigzag M-group, a gap, then a P with an abbreviated tail. Proportions are very close, especially R1 and R8. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Moderate right slant. The baseline is roughly level, with the P stem dropping below it. | Same right slant and level baseline in R1, R2, R5 and R8. R7 is more upright and compressed, consistent with a cramped signing area. | Match |
| Letter construction | The 'M' is built as connected angular peaks ending in a small looped 'c/e' form. The 'P' is a long descending stem with an open bowl, followed by a 't'-like crossed form. | Identical construction in R1, R2, R3 and R8. In R4 and R6 the P/t group is more abbreviated and looped, within range for fast marker signing. | Match |
| Connecting strokes | The M-group is written in a single continuous stroke. A lift separates it from the P-group. The P bowl connects into the trailing letters. | References show the same single lift between the two groups, with continuous strokes inside each group. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | Starts with a tapered upstroke into the first M peak. Ends with a long, tapered horizontal stroke extending right past the t-form. | R1, R2, R5 and R8 share the tapered start and the long horizontal terminal stroke. R4 ends with a shorter flick. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Fluent and confident. Terminals are tapered and there is no visible tremor or blunt stops. Ink density varies along the strokes. | References show similar rapid marker execution. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Heavier at the M peaks and the P stem, lighter through the connectors and the terminal tail. | Similar pressure distribution is visible in R1 and R8, both in the same blue ink. | Match |
| Spacing | Clear gap between the M-group and the P-group. The P-group is tightly spaced. | Consistent across R1, R2, R3, R5 and R8. | Match |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. The only flourish is the extended terminal horizontal stroke. | Same in references. No underlines; the terminal extension is present in most. | Match |
| Placement and size | Signed vertically along the left border of the sticker, in the open yellow field beside the character. Moderate size in blue marker. | Reference crops do not show orientation on the card. Size relative to the signing area appears similar. | Not assessable |
Examiner notes
Our card is from the 2021 Nintendopes Stickers Open Edition, artist-autographed. Seven references (R2–R8) come from the same Nintendopes Open Edition artist-auto run, so they are presumably the same era and the same signing context. R1, a Horrorible Kids Series 9 autograph card from Magic Marker Art, is likely close in time. No meaningful era gap is expected. Differences in ink color (blue vs. black) and stroke width reflect pen and surface rather than period.
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.
