"at a recent valuation"- is that market imposed or internal to the company? Finding one investor bold enough to put in at a $60 basis is completely different from publicly trading at a $60 basis.

After the company goes through $XX million of funding, gets closer to its goal, but the industry and stock market don't value it, you may have singlehandedly helped it go to $45 instead of $0.01, but you don't make out, period.

My understanding is that you can sometimes sell the option for fair market price once it vests (again, publicly traded at that point?), so worrying about how high the strike price is is the least of your problems with this deal.

These deals often have "vest at the board of directors' discretion", "fire before vesting" and dilution gotchas that leave you holding the bag (an empty bag) when it's time to pay you. Keep a close eye on those.

The reason to issue options at market value is to avoid you getting a tax bill right away (for income you don't get to spend). If you do take the deal, be sure you file the correct tax form immediately to keep that tax liability away.

Hopefully this is a great position with great salary, because at $60 this company's mature enough that without a major breakout and savvy business CEO, the options are lottery tickets.