English Explanatory Dictionary

red cent

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A copper penny.
  2. A very small amount of money.

Word forms

red cent red cents

Etymology

Probably from the color of the copper from which the coin was minted. Prior to 1864, a brighter nickel-based cent was used, often called the white cent. It is also possible that the red originally referred to the obverse bearing an Indian head stamp. See Indian Head cent.

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