The $500 Check That Kickstarted Apple Just Sold for $2.4 Million. Take a Look

Historic Steve Jobs- Signed Apple Check Sells for $2.4 Million at 50th Anniversary Auction

In a jaw-dropping moment that sent shockwaves through the tech and collectibles world, a humble $500 check—one that helped launch the greatest tech empire in history—just sold for a mind-blowing $2.4 million at auction. This isn’t just any check. It’s a tangible piece of Silicon Valley lore, a relic from the garage where Apple Computer was born, and it bears the signatures of Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak themselves.

The check, dated March 16, 1976, is officially numbered “1” and was written out to Howard Cantin, a circuit board designer who played a crucial role in turning Wozniak’s Apple-1 schematic into a manufacturable printed circuit board. Just weeks after this check was written, Jobs and Wozniak would formalize their partnership and officially establish Apple Computer on April 1, 1976.

The Auction That Made History

The sale took place during a special 50th-anniversary auction hosted by RR Auction, a renowned platform for historical memorabilia. The winning bid? A staggering $2,409,886—more than 4,800 times its original value. The auction ran from January 6 to January 29, drawing intense interest from collectors, historians, and Apple enthusiasts worldwide.

Bobby Livingston, Executive Vice President at RR Auction, revealed that the winning bidder is a passionate collector with a deep personal connection to Steve Jobs’ legacy. “He’s carefully curating a museum-quality collection with the intention of making it publicly accessible down the road,” Livingston said. For now, the buyer has requested to remain anonymous, adding an air of mystery to an already legendary sale.

A Glimpse Into Apple’s Humble Beginnings

The check is more than just a financial instrument—it’s a time capsule. It offers a rare, intimate look at the earliest days of a company that would go on to revolutionize personal technology. From the iPhone to the MacBook to the Apple Watch, Apple has shaped the way we live, work, and communicate. But it all started here, with a $500 payment to a circuit board designer in a small California garage.

The check is made out on Wells Fargo letterhead, handwritten in the upper-right corner with the number “1,” and signed by both Jobs and Wozniak. On the back, Howard Cantin’s endorsement adds another layer of authenticity and historical significance.

Other Iconic Items Sold at the Auction

The Apple check wasn’t the only star of the show. The auction also featured other groundbreaking pieces of tech history, including:

• A preproduction Apple-1 prototype computer, which sold for $2.75 million.
• The March 1976 Wells Fargo bank statement for Apple Computer Co., which fetched over $828,500.

Together, these items paint a vivid picture of Apple’s meteoric rise from a two-man operation to a global powerhouse.

Why This Check Matters

In an era where digital transactions dominate, physical artifacts like this check are becoming increasingly rare and valuable. They serve as tangible reminders of the human stories behind the brands we know and love. This check isn’t just a piece of paper—it’s a symbol of innovation, risk-taking, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines Apple’s DNA.

For collectors, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime acquisition. For historians, it’s a priceless document. And for Apple fans, it’s a sacred relic—a piece of the company’s origin story that will be cherished for generations to come.

The Legacy Lives On

As Apple celebrates its 50th anniversary, this auction serves as a powerful reminder of how far the company has come—and how deeply its roots are embedded in the culture of innovation. From that $500 check to a $3 trillion market cap, Apple’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

And now, thanks to this historic sale, a piece of that journey will be preserved, protected, and shared with the world—a fitting tribute to the visionaries who dared to think different.

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