He has no right to claim it as his own. On that we agree. His choices were to leave it in place or pick it up. That is the most important choice of all. Because it changes the character of the relationship between the found money and the finder.

Having made that choice, he became a part of the problem of the found money. It is now a moral question of his own to deal with -- to keep it or to dispose of it. Disposing of it includes putting back down.

My answer is somewhat utilitarian. First, find out what the law says about found money. Follow the law.

Having something not one's own in one's possession requires series of moral choices.

From an ethical and possibly legal standpoint, Tom owned the money when he picked it up unless there was someone who, in a reasonable amount of time, could dispute and prove otherwise. (This is my opinion of course.)
He found some cash that had no identifying characteristics accompanying it (Wallet, purse, note etc). He carefully considered and explored several avenues to return it to it's rightful owner and determined that to follow any of these avenues to the end might expose him to undue risk.
I think he did the reasonable thing given what we know here. Now in my small town I would have many more options that wouldn't put me at risk but I don't know Tom's situation.
The only question in my mind is what would a person do if it was a much smaller amount of money? What about a much larger amount?

__________________
1983 M-B 240D-Gone too.
1976 M-B 300D-Departed.

"Good" is the worst enemy of "Great".

What about Craigslist with a Google Voice number (which can be anonymous) for people to reply to? Unless person leaves the right details -- i.e. location, day, configuration, quantity, types of bills, no calls get returned.

Well, here is how it was. I was walking to go eat lunch. I was going to stop at the bank to pick up some cash for the weekend. Suddenly I looked down and there was what appeared to be a few dollars folded together on the sidewalk. I thought, cool.

I picked it up and looked all around for the person who had apparently just dropped it. Nobody within two blocks. I unfolded it and there also were twenties and hundreds, I thought, Whoah, ...but nothing except the cash and no way to identify it.

I posted here to see if anyone had a bulletproof idea of how to connect with the rightful owner safely.

I have no moral delimma with it except that whomever dropped it might need it a lot more than I did. The logistics of finding the rightful owner without expsing myself to who knows what is what stumped me.

If I had a post office box I could have asked for responses to it but I don't have one and it does not seem worthwhile to get one.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Think this backwards

Someone may run an ad saying they lost some money near such and such a place. Or you could call the police or visit any stores nearby if they have had anyone wander in to ask about lost money.

The actual party would at least be able to give you a close or accurate idea of the $$ lost.

Sit on it for a while. Then Charity, as mentioned.

When you draw your last breath on this planet Tom, you won't miss it.
(My way of thinking about the subject)

I like it Dynalow.

I feel so foolish, I knew I should have sewn that coat pocket up....pm sent with my address.

__________________
"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL