Is this genuine? 1806 half cent

Usually.

I think there have been threads here about "bad picture gambles" that turned out well. It is gambling, though.

 

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Yes but a legit seller has no reason to fudge photos,
and a photo like that would be unacceptable and they would get a better one
if they are proud of their wares.
I bought a foreign note one time and the photo was intentional enhanced
to make it look much crisper and cleaner. When the note arrived it had a million creases in it. I emailed the seller about it (deceptive photography) and never heard back. It wasn't a lot of money so I didn't bother wasting my time over it. I gave it to a nephew who has traveled around and collected currency from many different nations and he liked it. I couldn't bear to look at it just being reminded that I was a fool.
People are so desperate they have to cheat people out of a few dollars?
I don't get it.

 

Bad photos on the Internet are the stock and trade of those who sell counterfeits on-line. You are buying a true "pig in a poke."

 

I agree. If you can't take a reasonably good photo of a coin you shouldn't be selling them. I pass right by them when I'm searching.

 

I pass right over them too but I think some sellers are just lazy and think everyone trusts the slab so who cares. Deliberately juiced photos are also sellers to avoid.

 

I used to buy A LOT of coins and currency on EB many years ago. With good results. While I still buy an item here or there that I can't get anywhere else,
I stopped buying coins and currency. Fool me once shame on you.
Once you lose the confidence and trust of the parent company to employ reputable business tactics, it's over.

 

I’ve gotten decent coins before from listings with bad photos. Fewer bidders often results in a lower price.

I would avoid the OP coin however as it appears the surfaces may have turned in the holder at best, or at worst the coin is counterfeit.

 

I own several documented bad 1806 C-1 half cents and this isn't one of them. I have seen the counterfeiters try to duplicate the orientation/ rotation of a coin in a holder but this one is dead on to the NGC images. There are a couple of matching marks to boot...



I personally hate trying to make a determination on something like this with such (no offense) bad images!

 

Curious about the listing's actual images- the OP's look like taken by a phone.

If those are the actual listing images they hid a number of scratches I would not buy...

 

Duplicating the orientation of a coin in a holder for both the Obverse and Reverse the counterfeiter would also have to duplicate the orientation of their counterfeit dies when striking the counterfeit coin.

 

I stand corrected.

I think that the images were made on a flat bed scanner which created the colors that show on the reverse through the plastic.