Belgian, Hop Seal, Aalst, Image & Found by Peter van Lierop.
Found in St. Michielsgestel, Netherlands, 22mm, 11.5g.
HOUBLON / D'ALOST / 1840, BELGIQUE curved down FLADRE ORIENTAL curved up around // crowned shield bearing sword pointing upward with a further small shield to sides
Houblon is French for Hop.
Coat of arms of Aalst (a double headed eagle and a lion rampant each on separate shields either side of a sword pointing upright) - "Alost is the French name of the city and was used in the 19th century" identified by Knorrepoes on the Flags Forum.
From Wikipedia:- "Aalst (French: Alost) is a city and municipality on the Dender River, 19 miles northwest from Brussels. It is located in the Flemish province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Aalst itself and the villages of Baardegem, Erembodegem, Gijzegem, Herdersem, Hofstade, Meldert, Moorsel, and Nieuwerkerken-Aalst. The more rural regions are noted for their production of hops, which are sold to the old breweries there."
