"One such story is that after they were made (and I don't know which issue, but assume it to be the earlier release, three of them were put out on a reserved blackjack table and three people (collectors) were allowed to buy one each. The table was then closed. Evidently, the purpose was to say that the chips had been put into play."

It is not true.
The FQ's GM had no clue the Pai Gow chips were even made until I told him.