What must a grandmother do who found a piece of gold and was unable to identify its owner for 20 years, and donated its value 19 years ago, while the piece remains with her until now?

A valuable lost item (luqata) must be advertised for a year, after which the finder owns it, with a guarantee to its owner should they appear. As for an item of little value, it is owned without advertisement. The grandmother erred by not advertising the lost item, and she must repent, because delaying the advertisement beyond the first year is a sin, and the obligation to advertise drops thereafter. Whoever delays the advertisement does not own the lost item, and there are two narrations from Ahmad regarding its disposal (either giving it as charity or holding onto it). If the grandmother gave the price of the gold she found as charity, she may benefit from it. Then, if its owner comes, she gives them the choice between taking it or approving the charity given on their behalf.