not worth a red cent AmE informal
not worth a continental

"Not worth a Continental" became a popular expression of the era.

By 1780, the paper money was "not worth a Continental", as people said, and a second issue of new currency was attempted.

A popular saying circulated the colonies because of this: anything of little value became "not worth a continental."

Because of inflation they rapidly declined in value, leading to the unfavorable comparison that something was "not worth a Continental".

Confederate- After two centuries, "Not worth a continental," still means "worthless."

Continental currency depreciated badly during the war, giving rise to the famous phrase "not worth a continental".

The Continental dollars were notoriously worthless, leading to the expression at the time that something was "not worth a Continental."

"That's where the expression 'Not worth a Continental' comes from," Mr. Benice said.

not worth a Continental, referring to the Continental dollar.)

The Continental Congress printed paper money which was so depreciated that it ceased to pass as currency, spawning the expression "not worth a continental".

Any working hypothesis which failed to account for Schneider's -and his own - ability to think a set of deKalbs into operation was not worth a continental.

Rampant inflation of Continental Currency during the Revolutionary War gave rise to the phrase "not worth a Continental."

The Continental Congress did have power to print paper money; it printed so much that its value plunged until the expression "not worth a continental" was used for some worthless item.

Bulk's all well enough for a mighty big effort, but 'thout stayin' powers it ain't worth a continental whoop; an' stayin' powers an' bulk ain't runnin' mates.

This was mostly covered by loans from France and the Netherlands, loans from Americans, and issuance of an increasing amount of paper money (which became "not worth a continental").

This business model can be upset by a currency run when there are far more buyers than sellers (or vice versa) because they feel a particular currency is overvalued or undervalued and becomes "not worth a Continental".

'Not Worth a Continental' Ms. Kloecker said she could not discuss the specific evidence the family has accumulated to substantiate the claim, but she said there is reason to believe that Mr. DeHaven was offered Continental money for his loan certificate and that he held out for gold.