David said..........'ordered, say, 10,000 chips, and they closed before they were delivered."

I already answered this question.

David said.........."The manufacturer sold them and then made more to satisfy demand?

I believe you will find the manufacture will change the chip some what on the second run.
A different type of mold and/or a color variation. They were not made for an open casino and I would classify them souvenirs. In my opinion, they still are not fantasy. They might be called that by others but not by me.

Jim