The cross section and decay angular distributions for the coherent {phi}-meson photoproduction on the deuteron have been measured for the first time up to a squared four-momentum transfer t=(p{sub {gamma}}-p{sub {phi}}){sup 2}=-2 GeV{sup 2}/c{sup 2}, using the CLAS detector at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. The cross sections are compared with predictions from a rescattering model. In a framework of vector meson dominance, the data are consistent with the total {phi}-N cross section {sigma}{sub {phi}}{sub N} at about 10 mb. If vector meson dominance is violated, a larger {sigma}{sub {phi}}{sub N} is possible by introducing a larger t slope for the {phi}N{yields}{phi}N process than that for the {gamma}N{yields}{phi}N process. The decay angular distributions of the {phi} are consistent with helicity conservation.