Melting down gold and silver coins nets you gold and silver bars. A friend who plays the official Smith of the Barony (the Baronial Quartermaster) told me that gold and silver are the only uncommon materials now. You can also purchase Fates at check-in with either service points or gold. Some of them--like Fate of Lesser Supply or Fate of Greater Supply--will grant you smithing materials. In addition, NPC merchants as well as other characters often have them for sale.
If you post on the Dragon's Claw that you're in need of bars of a certain ore, you are bound to be smothered by offers.
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OOG -- Jeff Balla
Card Team
Kitchen Staff