It's
really hard to tell from the old Bosch monologues, but he really did have a full white beard (and mustache); it's just that his facial hair was almost the same off-white color as his facial skin that it was
very hard to tell them apart. If you look at the first Command Briefing which talks about the NTF and Bosch beginning his rebellion, that blurred ani of his face shows his facial hair a
bit better, but it's still really hard to tell. (Try to imagine an old sailor with a close-cropped white full beard; I think that was the look
was going for.
My opinion, though, is
should have just made Bosch look like Ronny Cox as an
Ink Suit Actor and have been done with it. Because Ronny Cox is just that awesome.
Granted, that would have been really tough to do back in 1999, but still.