  The planet Mercury is locked in a spin-orbit resonance where it rotates three
times about its spin axis for every two orbits about the Sun. The current
explanation for this unique state assumes that the initial rotation of this
planet was prograde and rapid, and that tidal torques decelerated the planetary
spin to this resonance. When core-mantle boundary friction is accounted for,
capture into the 3/2 resonance occurs with a 26% probability, but the most
probable outcome is capture into one of the higher-order resonances. Here we
show that if the initial rotation of Mercury were retrograde, this planet would
be captured into synchronous rotation with a 68% probability. Strong spatial
variations of the impact cratering rate would have existed at this time, and
these are shown to be consistent with the distribution of pre-Calorian impact
basins observed by Mariner 10 and MESSENGER. Escape from this highly stable
resonance is made possible by the momentum imparted by large basin-forming
impact events, and capture into the 3/2 resonance occurs subsequently under
favourable conditions.
