Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 23004 — Lost property: what is to be done

Sa'id bin al-Musayyib (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked about a found item (luqatah). He (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Announce it for one year and publicise it widely. If the owner comes, hand it over to him; otherwise give it in charity on his behalf. Then, if the owner comes after it has been given in charity, he has the choice: to take the reward of the charity or the lost item."