I know NotH drops plates sometimes, and AotA likely does as well. I feel a bit silly for buying through the 12th fatesand with gold without selling any buildings after seeing the fatesands crestplate video. I would just upgrade a building to level 5, and sell enough allies to open the next one. Once I get my 11th and 12th buildings to level 5, I'll pick one to get up to 7 and sell. I am close to having enough pal plates to go straight to level 8 and sell once I open the first land.