Just prior to this post, Larry Taylor posted the below scan. Note how the ismall crown indentations are a different shade of color than the remainder of the chip.

(Scan courtesy of TheChipBoard.com/Larry Taylor.)

Just what happens to explain this, assuming that when the chip was brand new, the indentations were the same color as the overall body of the chip.

I struggle to believe that "fading" (sun, lighting, exposure to air (oxidation) or the like) has anything to do with it, as the surface of the indentations are just as exposed to all of these elements as is the surface of the chip.

Comments, please? And if you want to suggest fading, then also say why the fading does not apply to the indentations.

Of course it would be nice to confirm that this chip (and the others like it) did, in fact, begin with the same color everywhere. Is it possible that the compression of the clay composition material was greater at the indentations and possibly more dense at those points, which may ward off or delay fading?

Bueller, Bueller, anyone?