Replying to Friend loses skis

So when I left the States a few years ago, I left my Rossi Steezes with a friend of mine to look after them for next season, unfortunately I couldn't go back for visa reasons. I tryed to get him to post them to me, but he was rubbish at emailing back. This went on for over a year. Now this season, 2 seasons on, another friend has gone back to where I used to live, and he was going to post the skis to me.

Now this morning I get a message from the original friend, he has given the skis to someone else to demo, to see if he can sell them, and they have been lost/stolen. He feels bad and has offered to pay how much I think I could have sold them for. I feel bad because I don't want him to be out of pocket for trying to do me a favour, but at the same time, he did lose a pair of my skis.

Should I ask for how much I think they are worth, or a reduced amount? How much do you think Steezes with Rossi XXL Free 20s  on them in very good condition, would be worth?

Sparknotes - a friend lost my skis, how much should I ask him for?