This paper addresses the action actio Publiciana, a praetorian claim that allows a possessor who has not yet acquired quiritarian ownership but has lost possession of the object to seek its return. It is named after the praetor Publicius, who first mentioned it in his edict in 67 BC. The paper analyzes the actio Publiciana claim from its origins in classical Roman law, further elaboration by Roman jurists, up to its final modern formulation as a presumed ownership claim in contemporary Croatian law. By defining ownership, structuring types of ownership, and analyzing key legal aspects, the aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the actio Publiciana claim. Attention is also given to comparing actio Publiciana with rei vindicatio, i.e., the true ownership claim. By comparing the formulas of these two actions, it can be concluded that the actio Publiciana formula is an extended version of the rei vindicatio formula, in which the praetor introduced the fiction that the period of usucapio (adverse possession or prescription) in favor of the plaintiff had already passed, thus presuming the plaintiff had become the quiritarian owner of the specific object. Furthermore, the paper describes the characteristics of actio Publiciana, from active and passive standing to the subject matter of the claim and the burden of proof. Finally, the modern claim of the presumed owner for the recovery of an object is presented, focusing on the contemporary legal framework, active and passive standing, as well as claims, counterclaims, and defenses.