As paid for mixed spice around the end of the war? (6)

I believe the answer is:

prices

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'as paid for mixed spice around the end of the war?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'mixed spice around the end of the war?' is the wordplay.
'mixed' is an anagram indicator.
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'the end of' indicates one should take the final letters.
The last letter of 'war' is 'r'.
'spice' is an anagram of 'pices'.
'pices' placed around 'r' is 'PRICES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for prices that I've seen before include "Determines the cost (of)" , "Monetary values" , "Costs" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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