Autograph Authentication Report
2021 Nintendopes Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #12a
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 P' style signature. A zigzag M runs into a k-like form, followed by a separate P with a long extended terminal stroke. The P section is somewhat longer than the Mk section. | R1, R6, R7 and R8 show the same abbreviated two-part structure (Mk + P with an extended finish). R2–R4 show the same structure, enlarged in paint pen. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Moderate rightward slant. The baseline rises slightly from the Mk unit to the P unit. | R1 and R8 show a similar rightward slant and slightly rising baseline. On the Funko boxes (R2–R4) the baseline undulates more. | Natural variation |
| Letter construction | The M is built as a sharp angular zigzag with a low entry. The k is a narrow loop-and-kick. The P has a tall upstroke and a small open bowl, then runs into a horizontal cross-like stroke. | R1, R4 and R8 show the same angular zigzag M, compact k and tall P with a small bowl. In R7 the same construction is compressed vertically along the card edge. | Match |
| Connecting strokes | The M and k are connected. There is a lift before the P, and the P connects into the trailing stroke. | All references show the same lift between the 'Mk' and 'P' units and the same connected P-to-terminal stroke. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | Starts with a short low entry into the M. Ends with a long horizontal terminal that appears to taper at the right. | R1, R4 and R6 show similar low entries and long tapered horizontal terminals. In R7 and R8 the ends are truncated or compressed by the vertical placement. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Strokes appear fluid and fast with smooth curves. No visible tremor or hesitation at this resolution. | The references are similarly rapid and confident. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Mild density variation. The marker line is somewhat heavier on downstrokes and in the M, and lighter on the terminal. | R6 and R8 show comparable marker density variation. Paint pen (R2–R4) is too uniform by nature to compare. | Natural variation |
| Spacing | Clear gap between the Mk unit and the P unit, with the letters compact within each unit. | Consistent across R1, R4, R6, R7 and R8. | Match |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. The only flourish is the extended terminal. | No underlines in any reference. The extended terminal appears throughout. | Match |
| Placement and size | Placed vertically along the lower-left edge of the art, partly overlapping the figure and background, in blue marker. | R7 and R8, from the same Nintendopes Open Edition set, show the same vertical left-edge placement in blue ink. R6 is also vertical. | Match |
| Reproduction indicators | Ink density varies, the signature overlaps the printed art irregularly, and no halftone pattern is visible at this resolution. Live ink cannot be confirmed through the slab from a photo. | Not applicable. | Not assessable |
Examiner notes
Ours is on a 2021 Nintendopes Open Edition artist card and was likely signed in the early 2020s. All references are also modern, roughly 2020–2023: Horrible Kids and Slop Culture cards, Garbage Pail Kids-style Funko Pops, and two other Nintendopes Open Edition cards. No career-span drift is expected. Differences come from surface and pen: the yellow paint pen on Funko boxes gives broader, more expansive strokes, while blue and black markers on card stock give tighter forms.
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.
