US Local - Penny Express

 The "Penny Express" stamps were issued in 1866 by Henry Reed of the Holladay Overland Mail and Express Co., which in 1867 became part of Wells, Fargo & Company. 
Printed in sheets 8X4. They were probably not placed in service

For years the word "Penny" in the Western US meant not the one cent copper piece but the half "bit" or five cent nickel. 
The copper penny was unknown. 
The "short" bit or ten cent piece was the smallest currency generally used. 
The two bit piece was the well known quarter of a dollar.

Original 114L1,2,3

Genuine Features

1. The bear's left paw overlaps the curve of the large figure "5".

2. Both of the bear's eyes are visible.

3. Two reins from the horse are visible.

4. The small numeral "5"s are outlined with white space within and strong black shading to the right.

5. The horse has an eye visible.

6. There is cactus growing out of the ground under the numeral "5".

7. There are trees consisting of vertical lines behind the rider.

8. There are fine outer separating lines between the stamps.

Forgeries

The most common is the Samuel Taylor forgery found in a variety of colors and papers.

1. The bear's paw rests upon the curve of the large figure "5", but does not overlap it.

2. Only the bear's left eye is visible.

3. The horse's reins are not visible.

4. There are white stars in place of the small numeral "5"s.

5. No eye is visible on the horse.

6. The ground under the numeral "5" has only some wavy shapes.

7. There are two shapes created by diagonal lines behind the rider. The shape on the right has a white interior.

8. There is no outer frame line.

Unknown Source Forgery

1. The bear' s paw rests upon the curve of the large numeral "5", but does not cross past the bottom curve line.

2. The bear's eyes are not visible.

3. Two reins from the horse are visible.

4. The small numeral "S"s are solid.

5. No eye is visible on the horse.

6. The ground under the numeral "5" is clumpy.

7. There are two shapes behind the rider. There is a white shape in the one at the right.

8. There is no outer frame line.

Unknown Source Forgery

This forgery is essentially identical to the previous one

The borders are much thicker especially the left one that gives an appearance of depth.

A rare full sheet