[Arran]

You have to remember that this was production cabinetry, likely better then others, but still not a long way from the high end, or custom stuff. In repairing, and refinishing cabinets in the past you see all sorts of flaws and mistakes, especially on cheaper models, veneer sanded through, gaps, cracks, moldings with flaws, or moldings not tacked on properly, then there are the finishing errors and variations. You could put it back the way it was, even though it looks odd, or put it the way it was likely supposed to be. I would probably go with having the molding shaded the same all the way around the top.
Regards
Arran