After mulling out all of different options, I went for the 64GB iPad mini 3, gold. Although the gold is silly - as it will be in a smart case, and never will see the back of the device.
When the comparison is made between the cost of the 64GB mini 2 from third-party vendors and the iPad mini 3, the price gap disappears, and I would say without a doubt that the touch ID is worth an additional $30.
Having fun setting it up as a new iPad, and only installing the apps I really want for now, and getting used to the new screen size. so far, I like it a lot. And since this was award money, I did not pay a penny.
I must say, the size of the mini is much "bigger" than my first venture into the world of tablets, the old first generation samsung galaxy tab. That thing was small, this feels like an almost full-sized tablet. Pretty happy