Board Game Arena

Technically, the action you describe should work. You should be able to purchase the artifact albeit without using its effect since you cannot pay the effects cost. Unfortunately, the way the game is implemented does not allow you to do this. It behaves similarly with Star Charts when you don't have...

I fear such a message would get very annoying over time. Unfortunately, game state changes that can't be undone happen quite frequently. They include drawing cards (Horse, Assistant, etc.), revealing cards/sites (Fishing Rod, Precision Compass, etc.), some research steps (taking any assistant, bonus...