What is the value of a koch accordion?

Answer 1

The short answer: whatever someone is willing to pay for it! As a general rule, collectors pay more than players. It all depends on the cosmetic condition and uniqueness or scarcity of the model.

I've watched them for years on Ebay, selling for as little as $10 and as much as $250. NONE OF THESE BOXES HAVE BEEN REFURBISHED. A refurbished instrument would sell for more money, but most people do not believe they are worth restoring. I believe some of them are, because they play on par with Hohner products from the same era (I also prefer a stepped keyboard).

At auction, the average Koch 2-row diatonic in fair to good condition usually sells for $40 to $75 depending on its condition and how many people are bidding. Most Koch boxes I see are totally trashed from years of neglect so their value is basically as spare parts. But some Koch accordions featured ornate Shutz Marke cabinets and some had hand painted scenes on the cabinet, perhaps privately commissioned. If you have one of these in good condition, it might bring a little more money at auction but don't count on it by placing a high reserve or you will frighten away potential bidders. It's best to set a reasonable opening bid and let the market decide.

In my experience, Koch piano accordions are more rare than Koch button accordions. No Koch Accordion is younger than 1929 because the company was absorbed by Hohner. Koch also built a limited number of instruments for the Montgomery & Ward department store, which were sold under the Concertone brand.