two ha'pennies for a penny en · NOUN
Etymology
Suggesting that somebody has so little money that they could not even exchange somebody's penny for two halfpennies.
Meanings
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(UK, dated, idiomatic, in negative constructions) Any money whatsoever.
A lot of rowdy-dowdies, poverty stricken — blunt but true, they haven't got two ha'pennies for a penny — dirty, no interest in their children.
1963, New Society, volume 2, page 10:In that condition he hasn't got a halfpenny to scratch himself with — an irreverent departure from the pious 'not a penny to bless himself'; or two ha'pennies for a penny, nor a brass farthing or a penny to his name.
1980, Robert Barltrop, Jim Wolveridge, The Muvver Tongue, page 18:I bet you he hasn't got two ha'pennies for a penny — they never have, these people.
1962, Edith Juliet Rich Isaacs, Theatre Arts, volume 46, page 114: