In Hita, MATSUKATA detected that huge amount of counterfeit bills of Dajokan-satsu (the government's paper money) were circulated, and after investigation, he revealed the domain-wide involvement of forging them in Fukuoka Domain, which was admired by Toshimichi OKUBO, and OKUBO's recommendation made him assume the posts of Minbu taijo (Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Popular Affairs) and chief of taxation.
日田で松方は大量の太政官札の偽札流通を発見して調査の末、福岡藩による藩ぐるみの偽札製造の事実を明らかにしたことで大久保利通の評価を得て、その推挙で民部大丞・租税権領に就任する。