• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup

2

The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting

3

Markets tumble worldwide as Fed resets expectations: $400 billion wiped off SpaceX stock

1

After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup

2

The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting

3

Markets tumble worldwide as Fed resets expectations: $400 billion wiped off SpaceX stock
TechFortune 500

The Story of How the Apple I Computer Could Fetch $1 Million at Auction

By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
August 22, 2016, 11:19 AM ET
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

In the summer of 1976, Daniel Kottke was looking for a job while off from college. He found one from his old buddy and the man he spent time with in India just years prior: Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.

During that summer, Kottke had a somewhat tedious job. He was to sit in a garage and put together Apple I computers, the devices his old college friend and his co-founder Steve Wozniak had designed and built. Now, nearly 40 years later, one of those Apple I computer boards that Kottke helped assemble is up for auction—and it could be worth as much as $1 million, according to a listing on auction site CharityBuzz.

“CharityBuzz is thrilled to be auctioning the most unique and quite possibly the first Apple I computer in existence,” the company’s CEO Coppy Holzman tells Fortune.

Apple I was released by Apple (AAPL) in 1976. The computers were designed by Wozniak—or Woz as he’s come to be known—and partially hand-built by some of the company’s earliest employees. Jobs was the salesperson in the operation, going off to stores to see if he could sell the computer that Wozniak had designed.

Finally in 1976, Jobs had a taker: the Byte Shop, a computer store in Mountain View, Calif. that tailored its offerings to computer enthusiasts hoping to create and use a wide range of programs, including word processors and more.

Apple Unveils Touch-Screen Tablet Device
Steve Jobs speaks in front of a file photograph of himself and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak during the launch of the Apple iPad tablet at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater in San Francisco, California on January 27, 2010.Tony Avelar — Bloomberg via Getty Images

However, Jobs was met with a bear of a challenge: to get 50 Apple I computers to the store within 30 days. Jobs made good on that promise by relying in part on his workers and in part by using a manufacturing company that was able to put some of the board together before Apple’s team did the rest of the work.

It was the start of what would become Apple.

Now, though, there are only 60 to 70 Apple I computers in existence, according to Corey Cohen, an Apple historian and Apple I expert who spoke with Fortune in an interview. He’s among the few people in the world who can spot differences between a replica and the real thing.

Over the years, Apple I computers have been traded near and far by those who’ve wanted to create applications for the old-time computer, own a piece of history, or simply make some extra cash on the hardware. For quite some time—especially when Apple was in serious trouble in the 1990s—they were surprisingly cheap.

For a roundup of the most recent Apple news (including iPhone 7 rumors), read: An Apple a Day: Waiting On the Big Announcements

Over the last decade, though, everything has changed.

After Apple’s resurgence at the hands of Steve Jobs, Apple I prices started to creep up, Cohen says. After Jobs died in 2011 after a long battle with cancer, prices soared even higher.

In 2014, The Henry Ford Museum paid top dollar for an Apple I computer: $905,000. Now, on August 25 when the latest Apple I auction ends, its price could reach even new heights.

“That unit didn’t have the provenance that this board has,” says Cohen of the Apple I that The Henry Ford Museum bought. “This Apple I is a unicorn.”

According to Cohen, the latest Apple I appears to have been one of only a few prototypes Apple built in its early days and comes with several different components added by Apple that were unlike later versions currently in the Apple I registry—a registry of all the known Apple I computers in the world.

“This particular board looks like it was used as an experiment on memory and how much cheaper you could buy memory,” Cohen describes. “It was also used in experiments on getting ‘cleaner power’ to the memory chips.

In other words, it’s exceedingly rare, and for historians and Apple I-seekers, it’s exceedingly attractive.

“There were some odd experiments on the board that someone like Steve Jobs or one of the Apple folks would have done,” Cohen adds. “It’s not something that would’ve been done by a hardware hacker back in the day.”

Author Robert Luther's Apple 1 Computer On Display
The Apple-1 computer is arranged for a photograph in Washington, D.C. on May 28, 2013.Andrew Harrer — Bloomberg via Getty Images

What’s interesting, however, is that only longtime Apple I historians who know for what they’re looking understood what they were looking at when the computer was first pitched for an auction.

The current, anonymous owner—who is donating a portion of the proceeds to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society after it’s sold on auction site CharityBuzz—bought the Apple I in January 2000 for just $18,000, the going rate at a time when Apple’s history wasn’t so important to historians. It seems to have been used by the previous owner to create a Spanish language program to teach people how to speak Spanish, Cohen says.

But there’s more to identifying a “unicorn” than simply knowing that some components on a board weren’t like the others. The Apple I also comes with a cassette that runs the software required to actually use the computer. On it, Cohen found some writing, which he says, offered some clues on the computer’s value.

According to Cohen, the Apple I up for auction on CharityBuzz was assembled in part by Kottke during that summer of 1976.

“The cassette tape included in the collection has Dan’s handwriting, which allowed us to date the cassette,” Cohen says. “Pretty much summer break 1976.”

He was able to track down Kottke, who confirmed to CharityBuzz that the writing on the cassette was indeed his. Fortune was unable to reach Kottke for comment.

But Kottke’s story doesn’t quite end there. In fact, he might have one of the more interesting stories in Apple lore.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter

In addition to building what might be the most valuable Apple I computer in the world, Kottke went to India with Jobs years prior while they both sought enlightenment. Despite being one of Apple’s first employees (he was officially Apple employee #12) and working on countless Apple machines over the years, Kottke is also remembered for being one of the early employees at Apple who Jobs denied stock.

Woz, however, thought better of the idea.

“He’s the one who didn’t get Apple stock from Jobs because he didn’t want to give it to anyone who wasn’t officially an engineer, but Woz gave him stock,” Cohen says of Kottke.

For a closer look at Warren Buffett’s investment in Apple and what that new era could entail, watch:

Still, his decision to work at Apple over summer break from college has proven fateful. It’s impossible that a young Kottke could’ve known that one day, he’d be working on an Apple I board worth at least $1 million.

The Apple I auction ends on Thursday. As of this writing, the current bid is $510,000.

About the Author
By Don Reisinger
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

Jack Schlossberg built a sardonic social media campaign filled just to barely break 10% in Tuesday’s primary
PoliticsPolitics
Jack Schlossberg built a sardonic social media campaign filled just to barely break 10% in Tuesday’s primary
By The Associated Press, Danny Peltz and Anthony IzaguirreJune 24, 2026
1 hour ago
Matt Garman
Successthe future of work
Amazon exec says AI won’t wipe out white-collar jobs—and is hiring 11,000 grads and interns, and has more developers than 2 years ago to prove it
By Preston ForeJune 24, 2026
1 hour ago
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani 3 for 3 on his ‘better Democrats’ endorsements: ‘Put working people back at the heart of politics’
PoliticsNew York City
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani 3 for 3 on his ‘better Democrats’ endorsements: ‘Put working people back at the heart of politics’
By The Associated Press, Jesse Bedayn, Thomas Beaumont and HUMERA LODHIJune 24, 2026
1 hour ago
a
RetailAmazon
Amazon’s record Prime Day masks a darker truth: Americans are spending more and getting less
By Nick LichtenbergJune 24, 2026
1 hour ago
Current price of Ethereum for June 24, 2026
Personal FinanceEthereum
Current price of Ethereum for June 24, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 24, 2026
3 hours ago
Taktile cofounders Maik Taro Wehmeyer (left) and Maximilian Eber (right) stand side by side, smiling at the camera.
Startups & VentureVenture Capital
Exclusive: Taktile raises $110 million from Goldman Sachs, Tiger Global to automate high-stakes financial decisions 
By Camila Grigera NaónJune 24, 2026
3 hours ago

Most Popular

After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
Success
After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 23, 2026
1 day ago
The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting
Economy
The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting
By Jacqueline MunisJune 24, 2026
9 hours ago
Markets tumble worldwide as Fed resets expectations: $400 billion wiped off SpaceX stock
Banking
Markets tumble worldwide as Fed resets expectations: $400 billion wiped off SpaceX stock
By Jim EdwardsJune 23, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of oil as of June 23, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 23, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 23, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of gold as of June 23, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of gold as of June 23, 2026
By Danny BakstJune 23, 2026
1 day ago
Texas and Charlotte used to build huge McMansions—now they're copying the California design tricks they once mocked
Real Estate
Texas and Charlotte used to build huge McMansions—now they're copying the California design tricks they once mocked
By Sydney LakeJune 22, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.