the prefs are totally mispriced, particularly older issues & 50's, and have been, jmho, for long time
but particularly crazy last few weeks b/c of tax selling, hedge funds who closed/closing shops and are foreced sellers, and redemptions at fairholme.
they SHOULD be trading at discount to par for all reasons you so clearly state, but believe "fair value" is where they traded in february before d.c. circuit fiasco