vanillabean, check out the "Care" thread (do a search on "shine") to see if Stormy has articulated the difference. I wouldn't say it's a patent; it's more of a glazed leather. The problem is that most of the early samples (the only ones in circulation right now) were flawed and have had huge flaking problems. HH has assured those people who have the sample bags (Mango and Carlie, e.g.) that the production line leathers will not have the peeling problems. I have two shine samples in Celina cuffs (Yam and Grape) and the Grape shine has similar peeling issues as the two GS bags we've seen. And I'd say even if the new leathers have had the problem mostly fixed, we're talking about a thick, chewy leather that's pre-broken in (wrinkled, smooshy). My guess is that eventually they'll all peel or wear like you're talking about at corners and other stress points.
ETA: I'm still getting a Grape Shine Havana, though. I don't mind the broken-in look and don't want something stiff like a traditional patent... but I definitely expect wear!
