Autograph Authentication Report
2021 Nintendopes Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #7a
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 form: an angular 'Mk' group, a gap, then 'P' with a compressed 'gt'. The second group is slightly taller and longer. | Same two-part 'Mk Pgt' abbreviation in R1–R8, with the second group dominant and extended. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Written along the card's long axis, i.e. rotated relative to the card art. Right slant with a fairly level, slightly rising baseline. | Right slant and level-to-rising baseline in R1, R5 and R6; the Funko references rise a little more steeply. | Natural variation |
| Letter construction | 'M' is a sharp zigzag with no rounded humps. 'k' is a small looped or angled stroke. 'P' is a tall stem with an open bowl. 'gt' is reduced to a hook and a tall stem. | Zigzag 'M', small 'k/h', tall 'P' and reduced 'gt' appear throughout R1, R3, R5 and R6. The paint-pen examples (R4, R8) show the same skeleton, broadened. | Match |
| Connecting strokes | 'M' connects into 'k'. A lift before 'P'. 'P' flows into 'gt'. | Same lift pattern between the two name groups in all references. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | Tapered entry into the 'M'. Ends with a long horizontal t-crossbar that tapers out. | Long, extended terminal crossbar is a hallmark in R1, R4, R5, R6 and R8. Entry strokes are tapered. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Fluid, confident strokes with tapered ends. No visible tremor or hesitation at this resolution. | Rapid, fluid execution in all references. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Some variation in line width, heavier on the downstrokes, suggesting natural pressure changes. | Similar downstroke emphasis in the fine-pen references (R1, R5, R6). | Natural variation |
| Spacing | Moderate gap between 'Mk' and 'Pgt'. | Comparable gap in R1, R5 and R6. | Match |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. The extended crossbar serves as the flourish. | No underlines. The extended crossbar flourish is present in most references. R1 adds a date. | Match |
| Placement and size | Blue marker in the left margin area over the art, rotated along the long edge, at a moderate size. | Placement varies freely across cards and boxes. No fixed facsimile position is evident. | Natural variation |
Examiner notes
Ours is on a 2021 Nintendopes open-edition artist sticker, so it was most likely signed 2021 or later. The references span about 2015 to the early 2020s: R1, R3 and R6 are GPK-era cards around 2015; R2, R4, R7 and R8 are paint-pen Funko Pop boxes, probably 2020s; R5's date is unknown. Pingitore's abbreviated 'Mk Pgt' form looks stable across this span. Differences in thickness and smoothness are explained by surface and pen: paint pen on glossy window plastic versus fine marker on card stock.
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.
