I think you are right that this was probably an early mold issue. I have a Frontier Reno Roulette chips that has the exact characteristics as the Gardena chips.

1.) glossy inlay not matte or textured in anyway.
1.) Inlay looks like it is adhered and not integrated into chip. Edges clearly visible.
2.) Heavy brown discoloring - perhaps from the adhesive that was used in production at that time

Being that the Roulettes and and the fractionals were not meant to have that much value perhaps TRK had a "less expensive" option chip?
Would make sense since nobody wanted to spend a lot on these types of chips.

Thanks for the insight David

E