If you say not one red cent or not a red cent, you mean no money at all. The bank made £12,480 of interest using the couple's money. The couple, of course, received not one red cent! But investors have to remember that with many shows they won't get a red cent back. Note: This expression is often used in a disapproving way. Note: The American one-cent coin used to be made from copper, but is now made from a mixture of copper, tin and zinc.