there is also a huge difference between newer and older versions of openssl.
# default openssl install (osx mavericks)
Doing 224 bit sign ecdsa's for 10s: 39077 224 bit ECDSA signs in 9.98s
Doing 224 bit verify ecdsa's for 10s: 8285 224 bit ECDSA verify in 9.98s
OpenSSL 0.9.8y 5 Feb 2013
vs
# homebrew openssl install
Doing 224 bit sign ecdsa's for 10s: 61047 224 bit ECDSA signs in 9.99s
Doing 224 bit verify ecdsa's for 10s: 15609 224 bit ECDSA verify in 9.84s
OpenSSL 1.0.1e 11 Feb 2013
