Even over a decade after his untimely passing, Steve Jobs‘ undeniable influence on the technology industry continues to reverberate. A tangible embodiment of this enduring legacy recently materialized in the form of a simple business card, which fetched $181,183 at an auction held in Boston this week.

Bearing the hallmarks of a bygone era, the unassuming cardboard rectangle hails from 1983 – a seminal year that witnessed the birth of Apple’s groundbreaking Lisa computer. Meticulously graded by the discerning eyes of memorabilia experts at PSA, this artifact transports us back to a time when Apple’s address was a far cry from its current Silicon Valley citadel, residing instead at the now-iconic 10495 Bandley Drive.

The typographic stylings and the six-color logo, once fresh and innovative, now exude a nostalgic charm, serving as a poignant reminder of Apple’s humble beginnings and the visionary who steered its trajectory towards unprecedented heights.

But what accounts for the staggering price tag attached to this unassuming relic? According to the auctioneers at RR Auction, the scarcity of Steve Jobs’ autographs is a driving force behind the astronomical sum. “Prior to this sale, RR Auction has offered a total of 10 Steve Jobs business cards, with just one dating to circa 1983,” they note, underscoring the rarity of this particular specimen.

However, it is not merely the age of the card that renders it a prized possession. Jobs, a man renowned for his aversion to signing autographs throughout his storied career, has inadvertently bestowed a rarefied status upon any item bearing his signature. “Less than five Jobs-signed Apple Computer business cards—from any period—have successfully passed PSA/DNA authentication,” the RR Auction site explains, shedding light on the exclusivity of this acquisition.

This astronomical sale price is by no means an anomaly when it comes to Steve Jobs memorabilia. Previous auctions have witnessed similarly eye-watering figures, such as a cheque from 1976 – the year Apple was founded – paid to RadioShack, which sold for $46,063 through the same auction house. Another signed cheque, issued to a management consulting firm in that pivotal year, commanded a staggering $106,985.

Gallery images courtesy of RR Auction