Boyd,
Looks like that second file may have been reprojected. Earlier today I was thinking it might have something to do with reprojecting the source in Abers to Geographic; however, it check out OK. Something is not right with yours. A compression algorthym not specifically intended to preserve all the original values could produce such results.
When I downloaded the data a few years ago, it was via the Seamless server and defining 2x6 degree areas. Did not expect to make you day, but certainly did not want to break it.
Seldom_sn,
I last looked at the data about 2 1/2 years ago. I will see if I can find that list - I do remember the values GM gave could be a few units different, but nothing close to another classification type so there was no confustion with which was which.
I did not have much luck yesterday finding the webpages on NLCD data I remember from years ago. Not even a reference to the 2007 data that was in the works then.