The Apple Apple-1 prototype that Jobs once owned was auctioned for as much as 4.6 million yuan

CTOnews.com, Aug. 20-An Apple-1 prototype that was privately owned by Apple founder Steve Jobs in the mid-1970s sold at auction for nearly $700000.

The prototype was used by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs to demonstrate the Apple-1 computer to Paul Terrell, the owner of the Mountain View, Calif., The Byte Shop store in 1976, one of the world's first PC stores, Boston-based RR said in a statement. The Apple-1 prototype was put up for auction in late July and was officially sold on August 18.

A Bay area collector, who spoke on condition of anonymity, won the auction on Thursday with a bid of $677196 (about 4.6185 million yuan), the auctioneer said.

"without this board, there would be no Apple-1," said Bobby Livingston, executive vice president of RR. "it's the holy grail of souvenirs for Steve Jobs and Apple." CTOnews.com learned that only about 200 Apple-1 computers were produced, which initially sold for $666 (about 4542.12 yuan), most of which were later auctioned off at huge prices.

It is reported that the prototype Apple-1, which has been in Apple's garage for many years, was given to an unknown person by Jobs about 30 years ago, who decided to auction it decades later. The circuit board has also been examined and identified by Apple-1 computer expert Corey Cohen, whose notarized 13-page report is also included in the auction.

Other Apple memorabilia were also sold at the auction, including the first-generation iPhone sealed in a box and a tax-free card signed by Steve Jobs.