Stradivarius violin from 1714 could fetch highest price ever for musical instrument when it goes up for auction

A violin made by the famed Antonio Stradivari in 1714 has the potential to become the most expensive musical instrument ever sold when it goes up for auction Friday at Sotheby's in New York.

The auction house is estimating the value of the "Joachim-Ma Stradivarius" at $12 million to $18 million. If it sells at the top end of that range, it could best the $15.9 million paid in 2011 for another Stradivarius, the "Lady Blunt," made in 1721 and named by Guinness World Records as the most expensive instrument ever sold at auction.

Mari-Claudia Jimenez, Sotheby's Americas president and head of global business, said Stradivari made the violin during his "Golden Period," which began around 1700 and was marked by an improvement in his craftmanship.