A historic $500 check, famous for helping launch Apple Computer, was auctioned in January for $2.4 million. The check, signed by Steve Jobs, Apple’s co-founder and former CEO, was sold at an auction marking Apple’s 50th anniversary, according to RR Auction’s advertisement.
The check sold for $2,409,886.
The 1976 check was one of the earliest transactions that led to the founding of Apple on April 1, 1976. Over the past 50 years, Apple has changed the landscape of personal technology with iconic products such as the iPhone, MacBook and Apple Watch. This historical check offers a unique look at the early days of the company.
The Wells Fargo check, dated March 16, 1976, had the number 1, handwritten in the upper right corner, and was made out to Howard Cantin, a circuit board designer. Jobs and co-founder Steve Wozniak both signed the check. Weeks later, they established a partnership agreement for Apple Computer. The check paid Cantin to translate “Wozniak’s Apple-1 schematic into a manufacturable printed circuit board,” according to the release. Cantin signed the back of the check.
Here’s a look at the check from RR auction.
Other items were sold at auction, including a preproduction Apple-1 prototype computer for $2.75 million, and a March 1976 Wells Fargo bank statement for Apple Computer Co. for over $828,500. The auction ran from January 6 to January 29.
Representatives for Apple and RR Auction did not immediately respond to requests for comment.






