Graded Used Prexies For Sale - Really ?

I was browsing Kelleher Sale 2012 here :

https://stampauctionnetwork.com/V/V2012.cfm

and I noticed lots 985 and 986 here :

https://stampauctionnetwork.com//V/v201225.cfm

and they are Gem 100 graded by PF used examples (machine cancel) each of Scott 813 and 829, respectively. I know all the background around grading and such mostly, but I am largely illiterate on the market for Prexies, so I'm just going "what"? when I see this.

Can't one just wander through a pile of used prexies and find something like these on the cheap, or have times changed, and do these really have value, and thus, I should be quiet and honor them accordingly?

edit: I am of course aware that these are very popular from a postal history point of view. Rightfully so, as they are very interesting for postal usages.

One issue txstamp is that it likely would take a huge pile to wade through to find a Gem 100 example. Now the next question after wading and finding is how much time did that take? For a dealer or other philatelic professional time is money and the search costs in time can easily outweigh the sales return.

Now so hobbyist value their time at zero per hour and just pay the certificate fee when the finally, if ever find that Gem 100. They the put the item up for sale as a jackpot of found money.

There are folks who like Gem 100 used stamps and collect the same. Paying a premium for such found stamps save the collector much time, no matter the price the collector may place on their own time.

Now are Gem 100 used Prexies popular, yes, but the question is at what price? Followed by how much of that price is based, not upon the stamp but the labor costs to find such stamp.

That's a fair evaluation. I guess we'll see what the market will bear here.

edit: I guess the big missing piece in my mind, was how well-centered on average did these stamps tend to be? I kind of assumed that by this era, they were better at making high quality stamps - well centered, etc.

It sounds like a true Gem 100 is still not really common, and with the popularity of these increasing maybe this isn't so far-fetched?

War time production of all stamps, not just Prexies was a period of lower quality,especially when looking at perforations.

Note finding a grade 100 stamp is harder than a grade 100 mint stamp because the used stamp had to survive the postal equipment etc

Thanks for the useful replies. I will be interested to see how these lots do in the sale.

What exactly makes these stamps grade Gem 100? Is it centering, color, perforations, or what else? The perforations don't look all perfect to me.

The capacity of collectors for elevating dross to desirable - and for paying through the nose for it - never ceases to amaze.