Autograph Authentication Report
2021 Nintendopes Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #14a
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 'Mk Pgt' form: a zig-zag M/N with an attached k, a gap, then a looped P with a descending g-like form and a crossed t. The first-name group is slightly shorter than the surname group. | Same abbreviated two-group 'Mk Pgt' structure in R1–R7. R8 is too small to read in detail but shows the same two-group shape. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Strong rightward slant. Baseline is roughly level, with a slight rise into the surname. | R3, R4 and R7 show the same strong right slant and level-to-rising baseline. The Funko examples (R1, R2, R5, R6) rise more steeply, as expected on a box window. | Natural variation |
| Letter construction | M is made as a sharp up-down-up zig-zag, with the k formed by a short loop and kick. P is an upright stem with a top bowl that runs into a descending loop, followed by a t with a long cross. | Same M zig-zag and k kick in R3, R4 and R7. The P bowl leading into a descender and the long t-cross appear in R1, R2, R3, R5 and R7. | Match |
| Connecting strokes | The M and k are connected in one movement. There is a pen lift between the first-name and surname groups. The P connects through to the g/t area. | Same lift pattern between groups and the same internal connections in R3 and R7. The Funko examples are similar but more broken up because of the paint pen. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | Starts with a quick entry stroke into the M. Ends on a long, tapered t-cross. | Same tapered entry and long terminal t-cross, clearly visible in R1, R2, R3 and R5. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Strokes look fluent with tapered ends. In the photo there is no visible tremor, hesitation or blunt stops. | References are fast, fluid marker signatures. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Varying stroke width consistent with a felt-tip marker, heavier on downstrokes. | R3, R4 and R7 show similar marker pressure variation. The Funko paint pen lines are more uniform, as expected for that pen. | Natural variation |
| Spacing | Clear gap between 'Mk' and 'Pgt'. The surname letters are fairly compact. | Same group spacing in R3, R4 and R7. Spacing is wider on the Funko boxes, which offer a larger signing area. | Natural variation |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. The extended t-cross is the only flourish. | No underlines in any reference. The extended t-cross appears throughout. | Match |
| Placement and size | Signed vertically along the left edge over the green background, in dark blue-green ink, at a size suited to a sticker card. | Card examples are signed across the image area, and box examples across the window. Placement varies freely across references, with no fixed facsimile position. | Natural variation |
| Reproduction indicators | In this image the ink appears to sit on top of the printed art. No halftone dots are visible, and the stroke widths look natural. Resolution limits how much can be assessed. | Not applicable. | Not assessable |
Examiner notes
Our card is a 2021 Nintenbopes open-edition sticker, so the signature dates from about 2021 or later. R3, R4, R7 and R8 are tied to 2014–2015 Garbage Pail Kids cards. R1, R2, R5 and R6 are GPK Funko Pop boxes, likely about 2021–2022, which makes them closest in era to ours. The 'Mk Pgt' abbreviated form looks stable across both periods. Differences in the Funko examples (larger, looser, opaque yellow paint pen on a glossy window) are explained by surface and pen rather than era.
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.
