Autograph Authentication Report
2024 Topps Chrome Future Stars - Rookie Auto · #FSA-AJ
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-element monogram: a tall pointed 'A' with an angled crossbar, then a looped 'j' with a separate dot at upper right. Roughly as tall as it is wide. | R2, R3 and R4 show the same compact A-plus-j-with-dot monogram, and R4 is nearly identical in layout. R1 and R5 are long, heavily looped full signatures of a completely different design. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Upright strokes lean slightly. The baseline rises gently from the A into the j. | R4 and R3 share a similar lean and the same rising entry into the j. R2 is written larger and more upright on a sticker. The code's reference range is pulled toward a backward lean partly by R1, which is a different signature form. | Natural variation |
| Letter construction | The 'A' is made as a single peaked stroke with a separate crossbar. The 'j' is a rounded hook that curls back into an open loop. | The same construction appears in R2, R3 and R4. R2 shows the hook more open because the signature is bigger. | Match |
| Connecting strokes | The A's right leg flows into the j, and the crossbar is a separate lift. | The same flow appears in R3 and R4. In R2 the crossbar extends into the j area. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | Starts with a tapered lower-left stroke. Ends in the curl of the j, followed by a separate dot. | R2, R3 and R4 show a matching tapered start, curl finish and separately placed dot. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Smooth, fluid curves with tapered ends. No visible tremor or hesitation at scan resolution. | R2 and R4 show similarly fast, confident lines. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Slight swelling on the downstrokes and lighter tapers at the ends, consistent with a felt or paint-type pen. | R4 shows a similar pressure pattern. R2 is broader because of the sticker surface and pen. | Natural variation |
| Spacing | The A and j are tightly grouped, with the dot slightly detached to the upper right. | Same grouping in R2, R3 and R4. | Match |
| Flourishes and underlines | None apart from the dot. | None in R2, R3 or R4. R1 and R5 contain heavy loops and cross-strokes. | Match |
| Placement and size | Small and centered-left in the Topps Certified Autograph window. | R4, the same card design, shows comparable size and placement in the autograph window. | Match |
Measurements
Software traced the ink and measured it against the known examples. The shaded band is the signer's normal range across those examples; the gold marker is this card.
| Feature | This card | Known examples | Normal range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slant of upright strokes | 6.2° | -13.9–-7.9° | Outside range | |
| Height to width | 0.964 | 0.406–0.868 | In range | |
| Ink travel per unit width | 7.28× | 2.86–4.15× | Outside range | |
| Stroke thickness variation | 0.436 | 0.373–0.453 | In range | |
| Closed loops | 1 | 0.0–10.0 | In range | |
| Separate strokes | 5 | 2.0–6.0 | In range |
Four of the six measurements fall within AJ Johnson's normal range: shape proportions, stroke thickness variation, closed loops and number of separate strokes. Two were flagged: the lean of the upright strokes and the amount of ink used relative to the signature's width. The comparison pool included a Leaf Metal signature (R1) that looks like a completely different style, which pulls the reference average away from his usual compact monogram. Ink-per-width also shifts easily with photo size and resolution. Taken together, the numbers neither confirm nor refute the signature on their own. The visual match to his certified rookie autographs carries more weight here.
Examiner notes
Our signature is on a 2024 Topps Chrome Future Stars rookie autograph, so it reflects his rookie-era signature. R2 (Panini Obsidian), R3 (Panini Origins) and R4 (Topps Chrome Future Stars, the same product as ours) all show the same 2024 rookie-era form: a compact 'A' with a hooked 'j' and a dot. R1 (2024 Leaf Metal) and R5 (undated signed photo) show elaborate, multi-loop full signatures that do not match the compact rookie-era form. They may come from a different person with the same name, or be doubtful. They are not explained by 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.
