Kurt Cobain's 'MTV Unplugged' guitar expected to go for $1 million at auction

The guitar played by Nirvana frontman, Kurt Cobain, during the group's iconic MTV Unplugged performance in 1993 is reportedly going up for auction with a starting price of around $1 million (approximately R18.3 million with the current exchange rate). 

According to The Guardian, the guitar will be the "headline item" for the Music Icons event which will be hosted by Julien's Auctions in June. 

The instrument comes with its original hard-shell case embellished by the singer with a pamphlet from Poison Idea's 1990 album, Feel the Darkness. It also includes a half-used pack of guitar strings, as well as a few other items, the publication reports. 

The rare guitar is a 1959 Martin D-18E, and is one of only 302 produced, according to CNN. The instrument was previously owned by Cobain's daughter, Frances Bean Cobain, who gave it up to husband, Isaiah Silva, during a divorce battle. 

Nirvana's MTV Unplugged performance took place just five months before Cobain's death. 

Compiled by Nikita Coetzee (Sources: The Guardian, CNN)