There is nothing in the Mint process that would produce this colour, so yes, most likely some sort of environmental staining/varnishing/damage. Seeing the reverse would be helpful (as it always is).
Or the coin was homeless for a time. Someone with a metal detector may have found it. Look at the highest devices. The color will wear off quickly on these and show the original colors. On a missing clad, the color will be a darker red and won't lighten with circulation. So I feel your seeing a coating on a normal coin.
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